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Texas A&M Football: Aggies’ CFP dreams ride on Devon Achane’s health

ByKyle Lovinggood|
Devon Achane, Texas A&M Football (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Devon Achane, Texas A&M Football (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

Texas A&M football has high hopes of making the College Football Playoffs, but can Devon Achane physically handle the increased carries at running back? Achane has the skill sets at running back that every coach envies. He can do it all, as I have said before.

"“Devon Achane is a superstar in the making. At running back, he has world-class track speed, amazing vision, homerun ability, and can catch just about any ball thrown his way.”"

Last year, Achane split carries with fourth-round draft pick Isaiah Spiller, now a rookie with the Los Angeles Chargers. Spiller had 179 carries to Achane’s 130 carries last fall. That means the current A&M running back averaged almost 11 carries a game with 31% of the total carries at RB last season. I believe he will average closer to 20 carries a game and have around 200 to 250 carries in 2022, depending how the coaching staff decides to use him this season.

Coaches will need to keep Achane on the field as much as possible because he is a threat at all levels of the game. This will allow other players to get open, stretching the opposing teams defense so they have to cover the whole field.

The Aggies will need to keep Achane healthy even though he will be on the field more often. Jimbo Fisher will probably use Achane out wide as a receiver more this year to reduce the number of hits he takes at RB, allowing him to remain on the field.

When I asked on Twitter if anyone had concerns about Devon Achane this up coming season, the general consensus is that Achane is primed for an amazing season with zero concern about talent or skills. Some people do have a little concern about Achane’s durability and would prefer he not have to do the heavy lifting on third down or short yardage.

Developing productive second and third string running backs will be a critical part of keeping Devon Achane healthy. It’s a long season at running back and the Aggies need to find the next man up to keep RB1 from taking too many hits. Amari Daniels and LJ Johnson Jr look to be battling it out to back up Achane. However, don’t count out Le’Veon Moss as a true freshman, who has been turning heads in fall camp. Earnest Crownover could come in as a bigger back for short yardage situations.

At the end of the day Achane is going to be a cornerstone for the offense this fall and he needs to stay healthy. He can be used in so many different ways to give A&M a leg up on their opponents this fall. For the Fightin’ Texas Aggies to have a shot at the College Football Playoffs this fall, the budding superstar needs to be durable and available all season long.

Other keys that are crucial for Texas A&M football to make the playoffs: