Jimbo Fisher updates offensive line depth after Matthew Wykoff transfer news

The Texas A&M offensive line depth took a hit on Wednesday when 2022 SEC All-Freshman center Matthew Wykoff announced that he intended to enter the NCAA transfer portal to seek a new playing opportunity elsewhere.

Wykoff started nine games a year ago.

However, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher didn’t seem overly upset when asked about the departure this week, instead pointing to some tremendous progress he’s seen up front from the offensive line during spring football practice.

“Been very pleased in spring,” Fisher said. “Thought we’ve made some huge developments in spring, I thought some guys are really coming on, playing well. The young guys are really developing.”

And there’s definitely work to be done on the offensive line for Texas A&M after a disappointing season.

Even with a dominant running back like Devon Achane the team finished only 79th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 141.8 yards per game. The team ranked 71st in sacks allowed per game, giving up 2.1 per contest.

That made life difficult on the revolving door at quarterback the Aggies experienced due to both incompetence and injury.

So Wykoff’s decision definitely stings, as it takes away one productive young player on a line that desperately needs a handful of them to emerge prior to the 2023 season. Fisher remains confident.

“Those young guys, not just playing and knowing, but physically really good players,” the Texas A&M head coach said. “I’m really excited about that group.”

Already Fisher has seen some positive signs from some of the candidates to replace Wykoff at center.

“That position, (Remington Strickland) had a tremendous spring,” Fisher said. “(Mark) Nabou, played center the whole spring, has had a tremendous spring. Really happy with him. He’s played some guard, too. Remy has too. I think both those guys, you can see being here, doing it. I think I’m really excited about that whole group on the offensive line.”

Jimbo Fisher then went on a breakdown of the Texas A&M offensive line depth chart, singling out some top performers this spring.

He also noted some players who haven’t been able to participate much this spring but whose return should help the group come fall.

“I mean (Kam) Dewberry‘s had a good spring, Layden (Robinson‘s) had a really good spring,” Fisher said. “(Reuben) Fatheree, (Chase) Bisontis has been awesome. I mean that whole group, I’m trying to make sure we go through right here. Aki (Ogunbiyi), Layden, of course (TJ) Shanahan wasn’t in there because he’s coming off a surgery. Of course you get Bryce (Foster) back. Luke (Williams) has been really good. You get Hunter Erb back, coming back. Dewberry I said.

“(Dametrious) Crownover, he’s really made some strides. Chase has really done a great job. Nabou has had an outstanding spring. Layden, Shanahan, going Strickland. Then Colton Thomasson for a new guy, then you’ll get Trey Zuhn back, you’ll get Hunter Erb back, you’ll get … course (Josh) Bankhead‘s been banged up, he’ll be out there. Shanahan and of course we’ll get Bryce back. So I’m really excited about that.”

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