Texas A&M Football: Who Stood Out at "Friday Night Lights"?

The Texas A&M football team had their second open scrimmage on Friday night in a made-for-recruiting event known as "Friday Night Lights." Multiple Aggies stood out during their second opportunity to perform in front of a live audience in the Spring.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer started "Friday Night Lights" or FNL when he was the head coach of the Florida Gators. In Meyer's version of the event, recruits from around the country would compete with each other in drills at a one-day football camp.

Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin tweaked Meyer's idea when he arrived in Aggieland in 2012. He has the FNL event during spring practice and has the Aggies scrimmage while recruits watch from the stands.

In the 2013 version of the event on Friday, Sumlin brought in a live disc jockey to play rap music throughout the stadium.

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Checking in from Friday Night Lights at Kyle. About 8,000 strong already and growing. Johnny "Gold Shoes" Manziel ready to roll. DJ is here!

— Gabe Bock (@TexAgsRadio) April 6, 2013"

The event is another opportunity for the Aggie coaches to show off the program to prospective recruits and their families. It also represents one more chance for current Aggie players to show the coaches what they can do in a game-like situation. 

This is a look at some of the players who stood out during the Aggies' FNL scrimmage.

QB Matt Davis

Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Davis is currently sitting at No. 3 on the depth chart behind Johnny Manziel and Matt Joeckel. Davis struggled during the Aggies' first scrimmage, completing only two out of 11 passes for 11 yards.

He was much better during FNL. Davis completed nine of 13 attempts for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 20 yards on four carries.

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More stats from #FNL...Matt Joeckel: 8-of-12; 59 yards; 3 TD; 0 INT. Matt Davis: 9-of-13; 79 yards; 1 TD | 4 carries; 20 yards.

"

"— Gabe Bock (@TexAgsRadio) April 6, 2013"

Everyone is aware that Davis is a tremendous athlete who is a threat with his feet. He needs to work on his passing game if he ever wants to see the field at quarterback for the Aggies. One scrimmage is not going to move him ahead of Joeckel on the depth chart, but his improvement from the first to second scrimmage is encouraging.

Davis will need to have a big game on Saturday during the Maroon & White Game if he wants to leapfrog Joeckel on the depth chart and secure the backup quarterback spot.

Defensive Front Seven

Aggie fans who attended the 2012 Maroon & White game were struck by how strong the defense was against the run. This played out during the 2012 season when the Ags only allowed 3.7 yards per rush.

Defensive coordinator Mark Snyder appears to be up to his old tricks again. Despite losing four starters from the front seven from 2012, the Aggie defense appears to be strong against the run again in 2013.

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RB stats from #FNL: Ben Malena: 5 carries; 33 yards. Brandon Williams: 8 carries; 27 yards; 1 TD; 1 fumble | 3 catches; 19 yards. #12thMan

— Gabe Bock (@TexAgsRadio) April 6, 2013"

Any defense in the Southeastern Conference would be happy with holding Ben Malena and Brandon Williams to a combined 60 yards rushing on 13 carries. They are both explosive running backs, capable of scoring a touchdown on every carry.

The fact that Snyder already has his front seven playing solid run defense with a dearth of quality depth in the front seven has to be encouraging to Aggie fans.You win championships in football by running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense.

It appears that as long as Snyder is at A&M, the Ags will be able to shut down the run on defense.

TE Cameron Clear

Tight end Cameron Clear should give the Aggies an extra option in the red zone in 2013. The tight end was not a major part of the Aggies passing offense in 2012. That should change with the addition of the 6'6", 270-lb Clear to the roster.

Clear's size and superior blocking skills will be a huge asset to the running game. He will also offer the Aggies' a mismatch in the passing game because he is too big for linebackers or safeties to cover.

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#FNL WRs: Evans: 5c; 32y; 1TD. Lamascus: 6c; 69y; 1TD. Walker: 3c; 49y; 1TD. Holmes: 4c; 35y. J. Williams: 5x; 3y; 2TD. Clear: 4c; 22y; 1TD.

— Gabe Bock (@TexAgsRadio) April 6, 2013"

Clear had a receiving touchdown during the FNL event. He will be a terrific weapon in the red zone in 2013. Clear gives Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel and offensive coordinator Clarence McKinney yet another weapon to work with.

WR Gaston Lamascus

Gaston Lamascus is a walk-on senior wide receiver who is undersized by FBS standards. The 5'6", 182-lb Lamascus found his way onto the field in 2012 and caught five passes for 56 total yards, including a 24-yard reception against Florida.

Lamascus has been one of the stars of the spring. He has consistently gotten open and made plays against the Aggie secondary.

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#FNL WRs: Evans: 5c; 32y; 1TD. Lamascus: 6c; 69y; 1TD. Walker: 3c; 49y; 1TD. Holmes: 4c; 35y. J. Williams: 5x; 3y; 2TD. Clear: 4c; 22y; 1TD.

— Gabe Bock (@TexAgsRadio) April 6, 2013"

He led all Aggie receivers with six receptions for 69 yards at the FNL event. Lamascus will enter the 2013 season as a backup at receiver. He will have to hold off the charge of an elite group of incoming receiver recruits in the fall.

Lamascus' consistent play during the spring and during the 2012 season should lead to increased playing time in 2013.

S Floyd Raven

Floyd Raven appears to finally have found a home at the free safety spot. The 6'2", 190-lb junior defensive back was moved from cornerback to safety this spring in an attempt to get him on the field.

Raven has always been one of the most talented athletes on the Aggies roster. His size and speed make him an NFL prospect in the secondary. The issue with Raven was that he did not like to play within the confines of the defense and spent too much time free-lancing.

The move to safety has been a success as Raven is currently listed as the starter and has been consistently been making plays.

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#FNL Stats: Sacks: Tyrone Taylor (2), Tyrell Taylor, Alexander, Wade. Interceptions: Raven, Baggs. Blocked FG Attempts: Raven.

— Gabe Bock (@TexAgsRadio) April 6, 2013"

His interception during FNL marks the second scrimmage in a row where he has snagged a pass from the offense. Raven has cornerback speed with the physical ability to play the run and hit like a linebacker.

If he plays within Snyder's scheme, Raven has the potential to be an All-SEC type player at free safety. He should be an impact player at the position in the fall and an upgrade over what the Ags lost in senior Steven Terrell.