Aggies Ranked No. 23 In Preseason AP Top 25 Poll
The Texas A&M Aggies were ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll Monday.
After a 5-7 season last year and being dropped from the rankings and not returning after week 6, the Aggies' hype heading into the season earned them enough credibility to crack the initial top 25 rankings. Texas A&M is one of six Southeastern Conference programs ranked in the top 25, joining No. 1 Georgia, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 LSU, No. 12 Tennessee and No. 22 Ole Miss.
The Aggies' quarterback woes from a season ago seemed to have been solved in the offseason by Conner Weigman, who showed at the end of 2022 with eight touchdowns and no interceptions that he was ready to be the full-time starter.
Weigman is still in a battle with Max Johnson to trot out with the first team in week 1, but all signs are pointing to the sophomore quarterback earning the nod.
He'll have first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino calling plays for him. Petrino's success at multiple stops in his play-calling career will allow head coach Jimbo Fisher to assume more of a general manager position. Fisher will still be involved in the offensive meetings and game plan.
Running back De'Von Achane was a third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2023 NFL Draft, leaving Amari Daniels, LeVeon Moss and true freshman Rueben Owens as the three leading candidates to take over for the 1,102-yard rusher in 2022.
With Ainias Smith back from injury, the Aggies' wide receiver quartet is made up of him, Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad III and Texas A&M's Spring MVP, Noah Thomas.
Defensively, the Aggies boast a returning veteran corps headlined by safety Demani Richardson, linebacker Chris Russell Jr. and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.
Texas A&M's sophomore defenders that consist of defensive lineman Walter Nolen, defensive end Shemar Stewart, edge rusher LT Overton and cornerback Bryce Anderson will look to continue their development into the next stars on the Aggies' defense after the potential wave of NFL departures following this season.
Texas A&M opens its season Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. CT against New Mexico on ESPN.
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Follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419
Subscribe to the Texas A&M Aggies Daily Blitz Podcast!
Hey 12th Man! Want to see the Aggies in action? Get your Texas A&M game tickets from SI Tickets here!
