The Texas A&M Football team saw a few players taken in the 2021 NFL Draft. Specifically, there were four former Aggies who heard their names called during the draft.
First, Kellen Mond was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings early in the third round with the 66th overall pick in the NFL Draft. In Minnesota, he’ll likely be Kirk Cousins’ backup for at least a season before earning an opportunity to play.
Bobby Brown III was the next player drafted, taken in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Rams, a team with a well-established defensive line. He could see immediate playing time and become a key part of another strong run defense.
Next, two former Aggies were drafted in the fourth round to the Pittsburgh Steelers. First, Dan Moore Jr. was selected as the Steelers’ first offensive pick in the draft. This was shortly followed by the selection of Buddy Johnson, who was the heart and would of the Texas A&M Football team in 2020.
A few eligible Texas A&M Football players were not selected in the 2021 NFL Draft
But among all of the names called, there were a few Texas A&M Football players who didn’t hear their names called in the 2021 NFL Draft. Most of these guys didn’t expect to be drafted, but they’ll still begin their careers with a chip on their shoulder.
Thus far, there are five Texas A&M Football players who weren’t drafted but were given a chance to prove themselves by being signed as undrafted free agents. Today, we’ll be breaking down who went to each team.
Texas A&M Football C Ryan McCollum was signed by the Houston Texans
Ryan McCollum was a great offensive lineman for the Texas A&M Football team, but he was never expected to be taken in this draft. He’s not an incredible athlete, which is part of the reason why he wasn’t selected this year. That said, he has the technical ability and leadership qualities to make it onto a 53-man roster come fall.
He played a strong season in his final year at Texas A&M, helping “Maroon Goons,” or the Aggies’ offensive line, earn the honor of being a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which is given to the nation’s top offensive line.
The unit was elite in 2020, and due to his departure, among other players, it will have an entirely new look in 2021, likely taking a step back in the process. But McCollum is onto bigger and better things.
When he arrived in College Station, McCollum didn’t have to go far, coming from Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas. He wasn’t a highly-touted recruit, given just three stars. That said, he would sneak his way into the offensive line and become a key player by his senior season.
He wouldn’t have to go much further in the NFL either, as he was recently picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans. Hopefully, he can make a huge impact on his hometown team.
Texas A&M Football G Jared Hocker was signed by the Seattle Seahawks
Seeing the sheer amount of offensive linemen who are being signed to NFL teams is pretty jarring, especially considering the fact that the Aggies will be starting a brand new quarterback in 2021. That said, these guys all earned a spot in the NFL based on what they did in college.
Once again, Jared Hocker was part of an elite offensive line group. The same group as McCollum, which was a Joe Moore Award finalist. Hocker may not have been the best lineman on this unit, but he was a reliable player, starting in 31 games in his career.
He likely dropped in the draft due to the fact that he is primarily a run blocker, sometimes struggling with fast rushers when dropping into pass coverage. That said, he’s still young, so he’ll continue to develop.
He was signed to the Seattle Seahawks shortly after the draft, who likely snagged him because of his long-term potential. Unlike a lot of offensive linemen, Hocker has the size and athleticism to turn into a starter. According to Lance Zierlein, he could start off as a backup and eventually build his way into a starting role.
Let’s hope he can find some success at the next level.
Texas A&M Football LB Anthony Hines III was signed by the Dallas Cowboys
Anthony Hines III is the forgotten-about NFL Draft prospect from Texas A&M this season. Unlike most of his counterparts, he opted out of the 2020 season, choosing not to play for COVID-19 and personal reasons.
It may have affected his draft stock, but he was still able to sign with a team.
Hines III only played a couple of seasons with the Texas A&M Football team, but during his time with the program, he was a very strong defender. He filled up the stat sheet in his first season, recording 33 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. This was all as a freshman.
He wouldn’t disappoint in his sophomore campaign, quickly becoming the team’s second-leading tackler with 73. He would add on 10 tackles for loss. He would have likely been a huge part of an Aggies defense that was among the best in the nation in 2020.
That said, it wouldn’t stop him from getting the attention of an NFL team. Specifically, he would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles after going undrafted. Let’s hope he continues to tear things up on the field, as he may have as good of a chance as anyone listed of making a 53-man roster.
Texas A&M Football WR Jhamon Ausbon was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles
Jhamon Ausbon was another player who opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic. He’s a player that the Aggies could have used in 2020, a season that saw particularly low production at the wide receiver spot.
When he was playing, he was one of the most explosive offensive players on the team. In his first season, he would record 50 receptions for 571 yards and a trio of touchdowns, instantly proving to be a key contributor. He would follow this with a down year due to injuries, but would bounce back immediately in his junior season with 66 receptions for 872 yards and 5 touchdowns.
He would have been, without a doubt, the leading receiver on the 2020 squad.
That said, he didn’t play, leading his draft stock down an unfortunate road. Fortunately for him though, the Eagles were watching the entire time, immediately signing him after he went undrafted.
Due to the fact that he is a skill position player, he could have more of an instant impact than the offensive linemen previously listed. That said, he’ll have to work hard to earn a spot on a 53-man roster.
Texas A&M Football OL Carson Green was signed by the Houston Texans
Yeah, this coming season’s offensive line has their work cut out for them. Carson Green was actually projected to be drafted this year. He wasn’t a high pick, but it was generally accepted that he’d be taken somewhere in the 6th or 7th round. That would not end up happening.
Instead, he would go undrafted, but not because of a lack of success on the field. As goes for every offensive lineman spoken of today, he was part of a unit that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best unit in college football.
As a high school prospect, he was not a big recruit, sitting on the outside of the top 1,000 players in his class. This wouldn’t stop him from earning instant playing time though, as he snuck his way into four starts in his freshman season. He wouldn’t relinquish this starting spot until he departed for the NFL.
Much like almost every lineman that was part of this unit, Green was an elite run blocker but was iffy on the pass. He has time to improve, but right now, he’ll be fighting for a spot on a 53-man roster like the rest of these guys.
After being one of the top players to go undrafted, he would sign with the same team that picked up his Ryan McCollum in the Houston Texans. This is one of two Texas A&M Football reunions that will be happening through this year’s NFL Draft.