1. Jhamon Ausbon | Wide receiver
4-Star, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Texas A&M lost three starting wide receivers in 2017: Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil. They also lost contributors like Boone Niederhofer, Jeremy Tabuyo, Edward Pope and Frank Iheanacho. That’s a lot of missing production.
In fact, the only real proven receiving threat the Aggies are returning in 2017 is Christian Kirk. He’s been named to every preseason watch list and was a nobrainer selection to the preseason All SEC First-Team. Kirk is a near lock for another tremendous season, but he’s going to need some help. That assistance needs to come from freshman Jhamon Ausbon.
Kevin Sumlin signed four wide receivers in his most recent recruting class. Hezekiah Jones, Roshauud Paul and Camron Buckley all look to be role players in 2017. Paul might seem some time on the field in four wide receiver sets, but it will be Ausbon that will be asked to be an every down player from day one.
Next: Predicting every game of the 2017 A&M Football season
Ausbon (6-foot 3, 217 pounds) will slide right into the outside spot vacated by Reynolds. His range and athleticism will give the Aggies a deep threat to pair with the interior shiftiness of Kirk. The Aggies will more than likely have a new quarterback this season as well. The more options in the passing game the better. With Kirk facing double teams and press coverage in the middle, it’s going to be on Ausbon to keep the defenses honest.