Texas A&M Football: The Offseason "To-Do" List for the Aggies

The offseason is built to help teams get a lot of things out of the way. While the on-the-field play is what counts, January through August has just as much (or more) influence on whether the program is successful.

From recruiting to spring training, college football requires this couple of months to get some very important things done. The Aggies are in dire need of a fantastic offseason due to their sub-par performance last year, a new head coach coming in and entrance into the toughest conference in the nation.

The SEC is a meat grinder more than prepared to slice and dice A&M. To prevent that, "Ag Swag" must kick in while young players have to step up in the clutch. Loaded with talent and fully stocked after snagging a consensus Top 15 recruiting class, Texas A&M is on the brink of hitting full throttle on the offseason events.

We take a look at the six things the Aggies have on their "To-Do" list for the 2012 offseason in what may be the most important one in recent memory.  

Pick a Replacement for Ryan Tannehill

As of right now, A&M has two young players with enough talent to take over the vacant starting QB position. Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel and sophomore Jameill Showers will both be competing to see who will snag the team's most important open spot.

In addition to them, 4-star recruit Matt Davis may also have a shot if he truly impresses the offensive-minded Sumlin. In most analysts' opinions, Manziel is the clear choice due to his high school performance, skill both throwing the ball and ability to tuck it to pick up yards on the ground.

Personally, however, I wouldn't be so sure. Under Sherman, this would have been a simple choice, but with the entrance of Sumlin, Manziel will have to show up in full force to claim the job. Showers and Davis are big-time passers with the ability to run as well, making this one hard decision for the new head coach and his staff.

It is in their job description, however, to find a replacement who can fill Tannehill's shoes as he skirts off to the NFL. One of the more interesting offseason events, I look forward to seeing who Sumlin decides upon come the 2012 SEC season. 

Acclimate Kevin Sumlin to A&M

Breaking out of Houston for a BCS automatic qualifying program, Kevin Sumlin is in the best position of his young career. Considered one of the best offensive minds nationwide, his ability to pick apart defenses is a godsend for a flailing Aggie team.

Leading an extremely successful Cougars squad for four solid years, Sumlin morphed a decent QB in Case Keenum into one of the most dangerous weapons in the sport. Just watching the young man rip apart a powerful Penn State passing defense was more than enough to convince me that Sumlin was the right man for the A&M opening.

Although weak on the defensive side of the ball, a place the SEC emphasizes with a passion, Sumlin may have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the Alabama's and LSU's of the conference and possibly emerge victorious. This man has a swagger that I've never seen before.

As he just pulled off a great Top 15 recruiting class, Sumlin now needs to start building relationships with the veterans who have played for the Aggies for four years. Aggies such as Sean Porter and Ryan Swope will be key next season as their play could determine success or failure in the SEC West.

Put Together a Decent Defense

As every A&M fan noticed this past season, the defense was the side of the ball that definitely needed some offseason work. Although the offense played extremely inconsistently, it was the defense that could almost never be counted on throughout the course of the year.

With returning linebackers in Sean Porter, Jonathan Stewart and DaMontre Moore, the Aggies will have a lot of experience leading the defense. The problem will definitely be in the secondary and down in the trenches. With only a few players returning at each of those areas, times will be tough to fill in top-notch underclassmen at these vacant positions.

New defensive coordinator Mark Snyder hopefully will have all the answers. Moving in from USF, his 4-3 scheme might just save the Aggies. Building a team around one of the most common formations on the this side of the ball will be a great place to start for the young defense.

Top off the Schedule

As of right now, A&M is two games short of a full dozen. Playing eight conference games, six of which will be against the rest of the SEC West, the Aggies only have four non-conference slots to fill, but no one is taking the bait.

SMU and McNesse State remain the only two that will take on the Aggies. Still hoping for Texas to possibly change their minds so as the maintain one of the oldest rivalries in college football, Texas A&M still needs at least one more, and that is based on the slim hope that the Longhorns cave.

Sneaking in some non-conference games soon would put most Aggies' minds to rest. The longer they wait, the narrower the choices will become and A&M should have no intention of visiting a powerful program in their inaugural season with the SEC.

Work on 2013 Recruiting Class

You can never start to early with college football recruiting. Kevin Sumlin obviously believes that as he has already secured five high school juniors for his 2013 class. One ranked as a 5-star while the rest come in as solid 4-stars—this is a great start to next year's recruiting.

Derrick Griffin, a unanimous 5-star Tight End out of Rosenberg, TX, has all the potential to be the next big thing the southwest. Coming in at 6'6" and 215 pounds, he is a freak catching the ball. A signature player that will be a great base for the 2013 class, Griffin is only the beginning.

Sumlin may have started out well, but there can be no rest for a Division I program. Securing more top notch recruits, particularly from the state of Texas, needs to be a priority for him and his main recruiting staff. As the lone SEC team in what is considered to be the greatest football state in the nation, Sumlin must take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

Building on the five recruits he already has committed needs to be a running goal for the new head coach. Snagging a couple more 5-stars would also be a nice plus for this Aggie program that needs talent to match up with the best in the country. 

New Uniforms

Somebody tell me this isn't a sweet concept design for a new helmet? The Aggies are leaving the Big 12, Mike Sherman and all doubt of success behind as they enter the SEC. A&M brings in a coach with a confidence and swagger that is powerful, a force that will hopefully give this team some life next season.

I've seen this concept helmet floating around the internet ever since the end of the bowl season. Apparently, Sumlin is quoted on saying that he wants to enliven and invigorate this program like it never has before, possibly taking this conference change to heart by adding some alternate uniforms to the Aggies' wardrobe.

As a personal fan of the whole uniform mix-up in college football, I have a few ideas of my own. This helmet is fantastic, but why not make the shell black and leave the logo as is (maroon on the inside of the state of Texas with white outline/lettering). Also, add a black jersey with maroon lettering and white trim as well for a night home game. There are a ton of possibilities for this program on the fashion side of things.

Point is: A&M has a new head coach and a new conference, so why not some new threads to complete the set?