Texas A&M Football: Will Ainias Smith will be A&M’s offensive MVP?

Last season, the Texas A&M football team had a clear-cut group of offensive stars. That group primarily included Jalen Wydermyer, Kenyon Green, and Isaiah Spiller, all of whom had vast experience as starters on a strong SEC team. It was clear that they had to step up.

Suddenly, the Aggies don’t have that same type of experience anymore.

In fact, if you’re looking to find out who will star on this offense, you might not have an answer until the season actually begins. There are still questions at virtually every position, including the quarterback spot, tight end spot, and throughout the wide receiver position.

Who will be the Texas A&M football team’s offensive MVP in 2022? This media outlet predicts Ainias Smith.

When you’re looking at potential leaders on the Texas A&M football team’s offense in 2022, there are a few names that may pop into your head. The first would be between the team’s three quarterbacks — Conner Weigman, Haynes King, and Max Johnson — all of whom could be the starter.

But which player is the safest bet for offensive MVP? Saturday Down South’s Les East contests that it will likely be runningback-turned-wide receiver, Ainias Smith. Here’s why East chose Smith as his offensive MVP prediction for the Texas A&M football team in 2022.

"Smith’s decision to return for his senior season provided a boost for A&M’s offense, which struggled for much of last season except for his explosiveness. The Aggies will have a heated QB battle — one that includes transfer Max Johnson and 5-star recruit Conner Weigman — and must replace Isaiah Spiller. All of which means Smith will be an even bigger part of the 2022 attack."

Smith is definitely not a bad choice for this honor, but I think he’s wrong on this. Here’s why.

For starters, Smith has never been a guy to put up huge numbers. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have potential but his strengths stand more in his reliability and consistency — something that we’ve seen for three seasons in Aggieland.

I’m not sure if I’d be willing to claim that Smith has hit a ceiling just quite yet but statistically speaking, he plateaued in 2021. Here’s what his receiving numbers look like from year to year.

• 2019: 22 receptions, 248 yards, 3 receiving touchdowns
• 2020: 43 receptions, 564 yards, 6 receiving touchdowns
• 2021: 47 receptions, 507 yards, 6 receiving touchdowns

As you can see, his numbers flattened out a big. With more consistent quarterback play, they could, however, continue to improve. But I believe that another player will be the Aggies’ offensive MVP next season. That player is Devon Achane.

Achane was the nation’s leading player in yards per carry last season, averaging 7.0 per rush, which was actually a step down from his previous season. As things stand, he’s the only truly proven member of this offense set to step into a clear leadership role.

The soon-to-be Aggie RB1 has already accumulated over 1,600 yards and 16 total touchdowns in his career. Without having to split carries, we should see a true breakout season from him.