Texas A&M Football: Which freshman needs to step up most in 2022?

There have been some elite college football classes in recent memory, most of which belonged to Alabama or Georgia. This year, however, the Texas A&M football team turned the tables on two programs that have been dominating recruiting, particularly in the SEC, for over a decade.

Texas A&M didn’t just topple Georgia and ‘Bama in 2022 — the Aggies put together the greatest recruiting class in the history of the sport. Overall, the class has seven five-star players, a number that cannot be matched by any other school.

But which of these players does Jimbo Fisher need to step up the most?

Texas A&M football freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy might be the most important freshman immediately

One of the largest questions in regards to the Texas A&M football team in 2022 is a question of which freshmen need to step up immediately. There are a handful of undeniably talented players — guys like Chris Marshall, Walter Nolen, and Conner Weigman — but these guys may not be filling an immediate need.

When you’re asking the question of who has to step up in 2022 — one player seems like a potential option.

That player is Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, who was one of the later commits in this class but has already enrolled at Texas A&M. GBD was originally committed to Oklahoma before the departure of Lincoln Riley sent him in the direction of his second choice, Texas A&M. He committed on December 15th, adding to an already-elite class.

Brownlow-Dindy is the 16th-best overall prospect and the 4th-best defensive lineman in his class. Two of the guys in front of him are also committed to Texas A&M in Walter Nolen and Shemar Stewart, neither of whom enrolled early. Here’s what 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins says about GBD as a prospect.

"Wins more times than not with a simple bullrush, but knows how to swim his way past blockers and is equipped with a few pass-rushing moves. Lightning-quick hands, which were developed during Mixed Martial Arts training as a youngster, might be his best attribute. Produced his first two years at the varsity level totaling 18.5 sacks and 47.5 tackles for loss."

The Aggie freshman may not start immediately, but he’ll be able to play significant snaps early on a Texas A&M defensive line that loses four contributors. DeMarvin Leal, Tyree Johnson, Micheal Clemons, and Jayden Peevy will all be departing for the NFL Draft.

GBD should expect to be on the field frequently during his freshman season, as he may have one of the best opportunities on the team.