Despite the global pandemic, the stars appear to be aligning this year for Jimbo Fisher and the Texas A&M Aggies.
A&M finished 8-5 and 4-4 in Southeastern Conference play in 2019, but have key returners. The SEC will play a 10-game conference-only schedule in 2020, the Aggies come into the season with a more experience quarterback than division opponent and national powerhouse Alabama and will likely play a rebuilding LSU team at home.
COVID-19 forced programs all over the nation to re-work their schedules, but the Aggies were scheduled to visit Auburn on Oct. 17 and Alabama on Nov. 21. Barring any unforeseen letdowns, wins in one game would give the Aggies a great shot at the SEC West Division title, but taking both will likely lift A&M into the College Football Playoffs.
Here are five former Texas High School Football stars that look to life the Aggies into national prominence in 2020.
Bobby Brown III, junior defensive tackle, Arlington Lamar
Brown had a breakout season in 2019, playing in all 13 games and making 11 starts and looks to disrupt opposing offensives in the interior this coming season.
He posted 21 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a pass deflection as a sophomore.
Brown was a two-time all-district honoree at Lamar.
Kellen Mond, senior quarterback, San Antonio Reagan
The Aggie senior signal caller looks to have one more big season in College Station and comes into the season in the school’s Top 5 all-time rankings in career wins, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions and attempts.
Mond completed 258 of 419 attempts for 2,897 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for eight more scores.
He played at Reagan before finishing out his prep career at the IMG Academy in Florida. Mond was the District 26-6A Offensive MVP as a junior after throwing for 1,991 yards and 26 scores while rushing for 900 more yards.
Dan Moore Jr., senior left tackle, Beaumont West Brook
Nothing can sidetrack a team’s season like an injury to their quarterback and Moore will have the duty of protecting Mond’s blindside once again this season.
Moore has started every game in the last two years and was a part of an offensive line that helped A&M post 394 yards per game, including 159 on the ground.
Demani Richardson, sophomore defensive back, Waxahachie
Richardson was another young player that burst onto the scene in 2019 playing in 12 games and earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.
He posted 71 tackles, including 38 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss to go with an interception, three pass deflections and a forced fumble.
Isaiah Spiller, sophomore running back, Klein Collins
Spiller had an outstanding debut in 2019 rushing for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns on 174 attempts.
He was named to the all-conference all-freshman team and earned the team’s Offensive Top Newcomer Award at the end of the season.
While at Klein Collins, Spiller earned Under Armour All-American honors after rushing for 1,493 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior.
