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Texas A&M Football: Assessing the impact of every offseason Aggie transfer

By Matthew Bartlett

Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Frank Iheanacho (15) attempts to make a reception as LSU Tigers defensive back Dwayne Thomas (13) defends during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Frank Iheanacho (15) attempts to make a reception as LSU Tigers defensive back Dwayne Thomas (13) defends during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Lockhart

Another role player headed elsewhere. James Lockhart was a four-star defensive end recruited out of Ennis, Texas by Terry Price. Now he’s off to Waco to play for new Baylor head coach Matt Rhule.

In two seasons at Texas A&M Lockhart saw very limited playing time. He recorded 12 tackles at Texas A&M. He played in all 12 games last season, but saw minimal snaps. That’s forgivable when you’re buried in the depth chart behind Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. Both of those guys were selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. That opened up a lot of playing time at the ends headed in 2017.

Lockhart wasn’t guaranteed any playing time with those departures. In fact, the Aggies added JUCO transfer Michael Clemons and have a few other defensive ends on the roster that were expected to slide into a starting role.

Verdict: No impact

Losing three players at any position isn’t great for depth, but the staff has kept the depth chart healthy. Lockhart would have seen a bump in playing time from last year, but it wasn’t expected that he’d see a significant role.

In addition to Clemons, the Aggies have Jarrett Johnson, Qualen Cunningham, Justin Madubuike, and Tyree Johnson to man the two empty end positions. The staff will bring in a few more guys next year.