Texas A&M Transfer WR Tyrin Smith Could Return to UTEP
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COLLEGE STATION - Texas A&M made sure to add speed to its offense this offseason with the addition of UTEP receiver Tyrin Smith.
Now, the Miners might be getting back their No. 1 weapon in 2023. According to Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher, Smith still is weighing his options on if he’ll suit up for the Aggies this fall or return to the Conference USA program.
“Tyrin may or may not be out here with us for a little while and where he’s at,” Fisher said Monday prior to the Aggies’ first day of spring drills. “He’s debating whether he wants to stay here or go back, which has happened in recruiting sometimes on transfers.”
Smith was expected to be an immediate contributor to the Aggies' offense as the veteran of the roster. That was before Ainias Smith, A&M's leading target the past two seasons, announced that he would return to College Station for a fifth year.
Ainias Smith, who previously was expected to enter the NFL draft, suffered a season-ending leg injury during A&M's win over Arkansas in the Southwest Classic. After mulling over his options with his family, Smith elected to return for another go-around in Aggieland.
Tyrin Smith could still be a part of the Aggies' long-term plan should he elect to stay. However, due to his status as a transfer, the decision to return to UTEP would all be based on coach Dana Dimel. Dimel, who has been the Miners' head coach since 2018, recruited Smith out of Cisco Junior College following the 2021 season.
Last fall, Smtih replaced Jacob Cowing as the Miners' leading receiver, totaling 71 receptions for 1,039 yards and seven touchdowns. Fisher did not specify when Smith would eventually decide on his status to remain with the Aggies or return out west.
Two players that will be heavily featured for A&M in 2023 are defensive backs Tony Grimes and Sam McCall. With Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson electing to enter the draft, the Aggies knew they needed a veteran presence in the secondary to build off D.J. Durkin's first season.
Grimes, a former All-ACC defensive back at North Carolina, recorded 36 tackles and seven pass breakups in 12 games as a junior. He should fight for starting reps opposite rising junior Tyreek Chappell.
McCall, a multi-purpose defensive back from Florida State, totaled five tackles and a pass breakup during his lone season for the Seminoles. He is expected to fight for reps as Johnson's replacement inside.
“Both were guys that we knew from recruiting," Fisher said. "Both are guys that we really liked that have athleticism that I think have chances, you know they'll compete for starting jobs and I think can play at a high level and be able to execute. But again, they have to go out and fall into the fundamentals and do things right and be able to execute on a daily basis.”
The Aggies will have 15 allotted spring practices before the annual Maroon and White game on April 15.
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