Six Aggies Receive Preseason Coaches All-SEC Honors
No one has ever doubted Texas A&M's talent. Entering the new season, plenty of voters are giving several players who reside in College Station a boost of confidence.
Six A&M players earned Preseason Coaches All-SEC recognition, the league announced Tuesday after a voting process by all 14 SEC head coaches. Ainias Smith led the group earning first-team all-purpose player, second-team return specialist and third-team wide receiver. Punter Nik Constantinou, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, defensive back Demani Richardson and receiver Evan Stewart were named to the second team. Offensive lineman Layden Robinson earned a third-team selection.
Smith, who enters his fifth season with the Aggies, has been a staple of the passing game and special teams since 2019. A versatile weapon for Jimbo Fisher, Smith has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games, dating back to the Aggies' Texas Bowl victory over No. 25 Oklahoma State in 2019.
A product of Missouri City, Smith started four games last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury against former Southwest Conference rival Arkansas in Arlington at AT&T Stadium. Smith also has served as the Aggies' primary punt returner since 2020, totaling 551 yards and a touchdown.
Jackson, a Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List selection, served as a team captain in 2022. He started seven games, recording a career-high 37 tackles and ranked second in tackles for loss with 7.0 stops. Last season, Jackson posted a career-best 12 tackles against No. 15 Ole Miss.
Richardson, a fifth-year senior and team captain, has started 44 games since 2019. A native of Waxahachie, Texas, Richardson led the Aggies in total tackles with 73 tackles. He also notched five pass breakups and an interception. Richardson earned a pair of SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors after scoring defensive touchdowns in the wins over No. 10 Arkansas in Week 4 and No. 5 LSU in Week 13.
Stewart, a rising sophomore, led the Aggies in receptions (53), and receiving yards (646) last fall. He finished eighth among SEC receivers in yards per game (64.9) and top 10 in catches. Stewart earned Top Offensive Newcomer honors at the annual team banquet last December.
Constantinou, who enters his fourth season as the Aggies' primary punter, appeared in 34 games. The graduate student was named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team in 2022 after pinning 23 punts inside the 20 while averaging 41.7 yards per boot. Constantinou, a native of Melbourne, Australia, also notched seven punts 50-plus yards.
Robinson, a stalwart of Jimbo Fisher's trenches, enters his third season as A&M's starting right guard. Last season, he helped All-SEC running back De'Von Achane rush for a career-high 1,102 yards, including a 215-yard performance in the upset win over the Tigers in the season finale.
A&M opens the season at Kyle Field on Sept. 2 against New Mexico.
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