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Texas A&M Football Recruiting Profile – Anthony Hines

By Cahil Murchison

Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; The Texas A&M Aggies corps of cadets march into Kyle Field before a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; The Texas A&M Aggies corps of cadets march into Kyle Field before a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Qualen Cunningham (9) walks on the field after being ejected against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Replacing important playmakers

With the recent leaving of Richard Moore, there is a hole to fill in the Aggie’s front seven. Even though Moore didn’t play a humongous role on the defense, his experience and IQ will be hard to replace. Plus, with Garrett and Hall gone other people are going to have to step up and resume their roles.

It seems that the guys stepping up to play defensive end are going to be senior Jarrett Johnson and either senior Qualen Cunningham or Cisco Jr College transfer, Michael Clemons. Johnson was a solid two last year racking up 18 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Clemons’ Cisco tape is impressive. At 6’6” 240lbs, Ben Baby of Dallas News says he has a “Sunday body.” If it’s me, I’m going to start Cunningham. His experience against D1 play gives him the edge in this competition for me. However if Clemons does get the start I’d understand. His athletic build is impressive and something nice to build on. Plus, he has more room to grow and perhaps a higher ceiling.

Now, I’m no magician and I can’t see into the future, but my gut is telling me that these gentlemen will not have the same exact impact off the edge as Hall and Garrett. So, with an assumed weaker pass rush this coming year, the Aggies will have to find someone to pick up the slack.

How about the linebackers?

The D-Line has obviously been a strong point for Texas A&M recently but again, with the two ends leaving more people will have to step up. This is okay! The Ags are pretty solid at the linebacker position this year. The young Tyrel Dodson sealed the middle up exceptionally well for a true freshman and his starting spot is relatively locked. So, the question is who are going to be the other starting linebackers? One is expected to be either Dwaine Thomas or Justin Dunning. Both are solid players with a good but of experience. But who will compete for the final spot on the Aggie’s front seven?