SEC coaches completely disrespected Texas A&M in preseason All-SEC
By Jeff Shull
The preseason All-SEC teams voted on by the coaches was released today, and it seems they have no respect for Texas A&M football, especially the defense.
Preseason polls, All-American and All-Conference teams are fun for fans of teams who are represented on them. It’s a feeling of accomplishment to know supposedly unbiased voters think highly of your favorite team. However, the preseason All-SEC teams voted on by the coaches was just announced this morning, and Texas A&M football got the shaft.
Let’s start with the good. The players who made it are as follows:
- Trayveon Williams, RB, Second team
- Daniel LaCamera, PK, Second team
- Erik McCoy, C, Third team
- Landis Durham, DE, Third team
- Braden Mann, P, Third team
Five players is nothing to be upset about on the surface. It’s when you dig deeper that you start to see the disrespect.
Seven of the 14 schools had at least six players selected. A&M was not one of them. 10 of the 14 schools had a player selected to the first team. A&M was not one of them. One could surmise SEC coaches believe A&M is the eighth or ninth best team in the SEC.
Admittedly, A&M struggled on both sides of the ball last year, but there are a couple of glaring absences from the All-SEC teams.
Where is Kingsley Keke?
Keke is one of the best defensive linemen in the country. He was recognized by the Bednarik Award preseason watch list for best defensive player in the country. He can play anywhere and has proven as much in fall camp. When Michael Clemons went out with an injury, Jimbo Fisher said Keke could move outside “in about two seconds.” That’s how versatile he is.
He was No. 6 in tackles among all SEC defensive lineman in 2017. The senior is going to be a rock on A&M’s defensive line no matter where he lines up.
Where is Tyrel Dodson?
Perhaps the biggest snub of them all is Dodson. Dodson was No. 4 in tackles in the SEC last season; two of the three ahead of him returned for the 2018 season. He led all linebackers with eight passes defended, was tied for fourth among linebackers with 5.5 sacks, and had three interceptions and a touchdown in 2017.
There is certainly a case to be made that the SEC is full of elite linebackers, but Dodson stacks up with most of them. He is also on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award.
You could make the case Otaro Alaka was snubbed off this list as well, but that’s somewhat forgiven with the depth in the conference. He was recognized by the Butkus Award for best linebacker by being listed on their preseason watch list; 10 other linebackers in the SEC made that list.
Where is Jhamon Ausbon?
Ausbon not being on the list was not a surprise, but it doesn’t make it any less a snub. He has been A&M’s most disrespected player all offseason.
The 2017 top 100 recruit had 50 catches in 2017, which ranked third among SEC wide receivers coming back this season. Admittedly, wide receiver is another position loaded with talent in the SEC this season. Each team on the All-SEC had two wide receivers. You won’t be saying Ausbon is the seventh (or worse) wide receiver when the season is over.
This is par for the course for Aggie fans, who have to put up with disrespect from other fan bases due to their middle of the pack finishes for the last four seasons. Please, keep sleeping on the Aggies. You’ve been warned.
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.