Aggies Offensive Line Creating Competition Due To Versatility
COLLEGE STATION -- Jimbo Fisher could have mentioned anybody Monday when talking about Texas A&M's offensive line status. Anyone of the projected starting five would have sufficed.
Instead, he kept coming back to one name.
“I am telling you about [Dametrious] Crownover,” Fisher said multiple times during his weekly press conference. “Crownover is playing really good football, I am telling you. And that is a big human being.”
Crownover, a redshirt sophomore who began his career at tight end, likely won't be starting on Saturdays this fall when the No. 23 Aggies take the field in hopes of rebounding from a 5-7 finish. Trey Zuhn and Reuben Fatheree are slated to be back at the corners for another season after mixed play last fall.
But Fisher has always been a believer in starting the best man. Last season, depth on the offensive line was viewed as a concern. A year later, it's potentially a strength.
“We are moving guys around a lot, because we want as many guys who can play as possible,” Zuhn said. “Because if things happen during the season, we want people to be able to take someone’s stop and not miss a beat.”
The starting five from last year should mostly remain the same Week 1 when A&M plays host to New Mexico. Fatheree and Zuhn will remain the bookends at right and left tackle, respectively. Layden Robinson, who elected to return for another year, will stay at right guard. Kam Dewberry, who started five games last season, should slide into the left guard spot, while Bryce Foster is expected to return to his natural center position.
Everything, however, is based on depth. Losing a starter in the trenches last season led to concerns of protection for three different quarterbacks, ultimately factoring into A&M's insufficient scoring.
That won't be the case in 2023. Fisher feels content with the status of his offensive line, especially with the growth among the younger talent.
“Chase Bisontis is doing a great job,” Fisher said. “Dametrious Crownover is having a phenomenal camp. … Mark Nabou has really become a jack of all trades. He is playing center, guard and tackle. He is playing and playing well.”
Bisontis, an early enrollee, can play multiple roles on the line. Nabou, a redshirt freshman, has competed with Dewberry for first-team reps at left guard, and seen action as Foster's backup. And Crownover's 6-6 frame likely has him serving as a swing tackle after a strong spring.
Versatility could be A&M's most significant upside regarding its offensive line play. Fisher and offensive line coach Steve Addazio shifted players across the line, leaving no stone unturned in case of injury.
“We do it in practice all the time,” Fisher said. “You are trying to get your best five guys across the board and where each guy can be to get your best five.”
Zuhn said while having everyone back at full health for the start of the season is promising, the spring was necessary for others to get reps so the dropoff of talent doesn't hamper A&M's chances of winning the SEC. Far too often, the constant change up front deteriorated the offensive consistency.
A combination of veteran and youthful talent gives Fisher flexibility when building a stalwart offensive line for the impending year. Games are won in the trenches. A&M's trenchwork could decide the outcome of multiple matchups this fall in conference play.
"We have seven or eight guys who can play any game this season," said Zuhn. "The competition is there and everyone is working their butt off to fight for those five spots. People are moving around and playing multiple positions. Everyone is getting that groove together."
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