After opt-outs, three intriguing Texas A&M football players to track in bowl game

Here are three players for Texas A&M football fans to keep their eyes on in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Oct 5, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy (15) tackles Missouri Tigers wide receiver Marquis Johnson (2) in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
Oct 5, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy (15) tackles Missouri Tigers wide receiver Marquis Johnson (2) in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
3 of 3

Three Texas A&M football players to watch in Las Vegas Bowl: DJ Hicks

It's not just the Aggie edge players who are opting out. Though Albert Regis is expected to play, Shemar Turner, who is also declaring for the draft, is the third and final Aggie to sideline himself for this final game before he heads to the league.

In his stead, there is a litany of players that we could see along the interior of the defensive line; chief among those, for me, would be DJ Hicks. The former five-star DL out of Katy Paetow has flashed, just like Kennedy, in some limited snaps, but has yet to be a full-time impact guy.

Ahead of a year where he'll be counted on to play that kind of role, a big bowl game from him would smooth over some concerns in that arena. He should certainly have a fair amount of opportunity (though Rodas Johnson will be in there a good bit as well, presumably), and I'd like to see him make the most of it.

He has game-wrecking potential against opposing rushing attacks and can reset the line of scrimmage when at his best. I'm hoping we see that level of play out of Hicks against the Trojans.

Schedule

Schedule