Texas A&M football: 5 players not getting the respect they deserve
By Jeff Shull
TE Jace Sternberger
Despite the combination of Jimbo Fisher running an offense that utilizes the tight end about as much as anyone in the country and Sternberger dominating in the Maroon And White Game to the point of being named Offensive MVP, Sternberger has not fallen on any preseason All-SEC teams, nor was he placed on the Mackey Award watch list for the top tight end in the country.
Sternberger had eight catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the Spring Game. That is one less catch, more yards and the same amount of touchdowns Isaac Nauta had all of 2017, and he made the media’s and Athlon Sports‘ third team All SEC.
Albert Okwuegbunam is the consensus top returning tight end in the SEC, which is fair. He led all tight ends with 11 touchdowns and was No. 2 in yards (415) and receptions (29) in the conference. C.J. Conrad is the second teamer, but he had just 16 catches for 286 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. It’s not like he lit it up.
Sternberger hasn’t gotten much recognition outside of Aggie circles, but that will change once the season gets going.