Texas A&M Football: 5 underclassmen that could break out in 2022

The Texas A&M football team tried having an experienced, aging team in 2021 — it didn’t work. As a result, Jimbo Fisher is reloading in 2022 with a younger roster that may contain eight five-star freshmen when all is said and done. This team will lose a handful of experience and bring in more than a handful of talent.

That said, the Aggies will need to have strong seasons from some of the younger guys if they plan to take another shot at the College Football Playoff.

Thankfully, there’s not a shortage of young, talented players on this team. But which ones will need to break out for A&M to have a successful season?

An experienced Texas A&M football player will look to continue his development in 2021

Edgerrin Cooper (LB): The argument could be made that Edgerrin Cooper already had a breakout season in 2021. The redshirt freshman Aggie linebacker recorded 58 tackles, 5.5 for loss, an interception, a half-sack, and a pass deflection in 2021, cementing himself as a key member of an elite defensive unit.

In 2022, Cooper will have to become the leader of the second level of this defense. The former four-star prospect already exceeded expectations in his redshirt freshman year — can he take the next step in 2022?

A strong season out of Cooper would give this team a dominating tackler. Last year, it was Aaron Hansford; the two prior years, it was Buddy Johnson. Cooper will look to fill these shoes next season.