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Texas A&M football: How do Aggies replace Jace Sternberger’s production?

By Jeff Shull

STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Jace Sternberger made serious noise in his only season with Texas A&M football, so how does Jimbo Fisher replace that production?

There was a running joke during Kevin Sumlin’s tenure with Texas A&M football and his refusal to use the tight end position, despite not only recruiting it every year, but also claiming each year at SEC Media days the plan was to use the tight end more. It never happened.

When Jimbo Fisher was hired it was obvious to anyone who watched his career at Florida State the position would be utilized. Digging deeper, it wouldn’t have been a stretch to say the tight end would be a focal point in the passing game.

Fisher used formations with a tight end and double tight end sets about as much as any other head coach in the country. We didn’t even have to wait until the regular season started to see the impact transfer Jace Sternberger would have with the Aggies. He exploded in the spring game, catching eight passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns.

Sternberger followed that up by being Kellen Mond’s favorite weapon in 2018. He finished the year with 48 catches, 832 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named a consensus All American. The receiving numbers were each best on the team. You’d be hard pressed to think Sternberger could have a better season, and as such, he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.

How does Jimbo Fisher replace that production?

The easy answer is to look at the 2019 recruiting class. Baylor Cupp is the No. 1 tight end on 247 Sports and No. 2 on Rivals.com. He was also recently given 5-star status on 247’s top player rankings and is No. 53 overall on the 247 Sports composite.

At 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Cupp is a monster. He blends that incredible size with good speed and proved in high school he will look to punish as a blocker.

Cupp will compete with Glenn Beal for reps, and Beal will likely replace Trevor Wood’s blocking initially, but Cupp steps into a position with little depth and will be needed immediately. Fisher also added 6-foot-5, No. 362 overall recruit Jalen Wydermyer in the 2019 class. He and Cupp could each emerge as weapons as early as the 2019 season.

Fisher will also look to his wide receivers to step up and replace Jace’s numbers. Quartney Davis led this group with just 45 catches, 585 yards and seven touchdowns. Part of the reason Jace led the Aggies in receiving was injuries and inconsistent play from the wide receivers. Jhamon Ausbon and Kendrick Rogers each missed four games and none in the group got open consistently.

We got on Mond for holding onto the ball too long at times, and in many of these instances receivers just weren’t creating separation. With the unit fully healthy in 2019 they should be better and provide Mond with reliable options on every play.

dark. Next. Ranking Aggies by their 2019 NFL Draft stock

Sternberger is a tough loss. Fisher anticipated this and brought in a couple of great recruits at the position and should get more from his wide receivers in 2019. The Ags will be just fine.

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.