Texas A&M Football: 7 Newcomers to Watch out for in the 2011 Season (with Video)

Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman will play whoever deserves to be played and it doesn't matter what year the player is. In 2009, Sherman showed just that by playing an A&M record, 18 true freshmen. Coach Sherman knows how to evaluate talent and he can find diamonds in the rough as well as any other coach in the NCAA. I will preview 7 newcomers that will help out the Aggies in 2011-12.

Safety, Howard Matthews

Howard Matthews is a stud from Clear Springs High School, in League City, TX and will be a huge asset for the Aggies during his career. Right now the Aggies will start him off as a safety but due to his size, he could become a linebacker.  He has impressed the coaching staff already and should get playing time at safety and special teams this season.

Punter, Drew Kaser

The Aggies found Drew Kaser in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Last season, Kaser averaged 44.3 yards per punt with a long of 56 yards. The Aggies have had trouble finding a Punter they could rely on since Justin Brantly graduated in 2008. Last year the Aggies averaged 35.67 yards per punt. Kaser should start immediately and remind the 12th Man of the days of Shane Lechler and Justin Brantly.

Linebacker, Steven Jenkins

The Aggies found Steven Jenkins at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas and could not be more pleased.  Jenkins could be the most talented inside linebacker on the roster right now and should fill the void left by the graduation of Michael Hodges. He still needs some time to figure out the system and has a ways to go, but Jenkins could start most of the games opposite of Garrick Williams this year at Inside Linebacker.

Cornerback, Floyd Raven

Floyd Raven is from Reserve, Louisiana.  Months before National Signing Day, Raven had decided that he wanted to be an Aggie. He contacted the coaching staff and committed, but his mom did not like that very much.  In order to please his mom, Raven de-committed soon after committing and pledged to Ole Miss, with the intent of still being an Aggie.  On Signing day, Raven and his mom made national news.

He sent in his letter of intent to A&M, but only after his mother signed his name for him and sent one to Ole Miss.  In the end, everything worked out for both the Aggies and Raven, and now the Cornerback is one of the Aggies most talented freshmen.  Raven has the talent to start right away, but due to the depth of the Aggie secondary, he might be better off redshirted. With some injuries to the guys ahead of him on the depth chart, Raven will be a newcomer to look out for. He will have a great career with the Aggies.

Linebacker, Brandon Alexander

Brandon Alexander, a linebacker out of Brenham, TX, will have an excellent career at A&M. Alexander moved from Louisiana to Brenham after his junior year and stayed under the radar for most of his senior season. The Aggie coaching staff discovered Alexander while making the short trip to Brenham to evaluate several 2012 targets.  Alexander quickly became known as the best 2011 Defensive lineman in Texas.  

A few weeks before National Signing Day, the Longhorns decided to pursue Alexander. The Longhorns, who have become poor evaluators of talent, entered the race late, despite seeing him play several times earlier in the season. Alexander seriously considered the Longhorns, but in the end Mike Sherman and the Aggies won the Head to Head battle over Mack Brown and the Longhorns for the top defensive lineman in the state. Look for Alexander to be a contributor this year at linebacker and special teams.

Joker, Shaun Ward

The Aggies found Shaun Ward at the Florida football powerhouse, Boyd Anderson High School.  Ward has been determined to become the next Von Miller since the Texas Aggie coaching staff first contacted him. Ward is one of the three favorites to do just that and take over at the Joker position. He has impressed the coaching staff so far and should continue to do so.  Look for him to play on special teams and possibly even taking over as the starting Joker, though he is a long ways away from that at this point.  Ward could be a very special player for the Aggies during his college career, much like Von Miller was.

Offensive Lineman, Ben Compton

Ben Compton, who is from Friendswood, TX, is another under the radar recruit who could help early on for the Aggies. He has really impressed the coaching staff and should be a huge asset on the O-Line for the Aggies over the next few years.  Due to the depth on the Offensive Line, he could be redshirted, but if he does make the two-deep, keep a close eye on him when he gets some playing time, because he is the future on the offensive line.