Texas A&M football 50 in 50: Aggies on several award watch lists

Texas A&M football is 41 days away, and in the days leading up to the Aggie opener we’re answering the 50 biggest questions for the 2018 season.

Jimbo Fisher is inheriting a Texas A&M football squad with loads of experience on both sides of the ball. He will have as many as 16 returning starters at his disposal, with most of those players lost being replaced by guys who saw the field in 2017 and earlier.

The Aggies lost three starters on defense and three on offense, but you could argue only wide receiver Christian Kirk and safety Armani Watts were the major losses.

Thankfully, Fisher can look to redshirt senior Donovan Wilson to fill the gap left by Watts. He, returning leading tackler Tyrel Dodson and senior Kingsley Keke will be the leaders on defense. Dodson and Keke are part of a group that could be the best front seven in the SEC.

Kirk is not as easily replaceable. Jhamon Ausbon had a fine freshman campaign and the Aggies have a bevy of true and redshirt sophomores behind him that should be competitive in the receiving game.

The good thing for Fisher? He won’t rely on receivers as much in his offense as Sumlin did. Trayveon Williams will be his thoroughbred and the run game will be much more of a factor in 2018.

All of this explains why five Aggies have landed on preseason award watch lists.

Williams made the Maxwell Award watch list, given to the nation’s top offensive player, and center Erik McCoy made the Rimington Trophy watch list, given to the nation’s top center. Jace Sternberger made the Mackey Award watch list for the top tight end in the country.

Rounding out the group is both Dodson and Keke, who made the Bednarik Award watch list, given to the nation’s best defensive player.

Naturally, Williams also made the Doak Walker award watch list, given to the best running back in the country.

Fisher has a talented roster that should be competitive in every game this season. As long as the group buys into and grasps new schemes introduced by both Fisher and defensive coordinator Mike Elko, the sky is the limit.

Next: Tight end will improve Aggies ability to contend

Jeff Shull is the Site Expert for the Gig Em Gazette on FanSided. Follow him on Twitter, and be sure to follow the Gig Em Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.