Texas A&M Football: 6 Aggie Players That Could Surprise in the Texas Bowl

Every year during bowl season, there are players who step up for their individual teams and make a name for themselves.

Heisman and individual award campaigns are often kicked off by great performances in the bowl games before those memorable seasons.

Tyrone Wheatley introduced himself to the nation with his 235 yard rushing performance in the 1993 Rose Bowl.

The question for A&M is who will be the player (or players) who step up in the Texas Bowl and make a name for themselves? Who will provide the fans with a glimpse at future greatness?

This is a look at six players on the A&M roster who could step up and make a name for themselves against Northwestern.

TE Nehemiah Hicks

Sophomore tight end Nehemiah Hicks has the athletic ability to take over games.

He is too big for safeties to cover and too fast for linebackers to cover. Unfortunately, he has been woefully inconsistent this year.

Hicks has 12 receptions for 106 yards on the season. He has struggled to consistently catch the ball.

Hicks is the kind of player who could put together a big game in the Texas Bowl and announce to everyone that he is ready to be a difference maker in the A&M program.

OLB Damontre Moore

Damontre Moore is hardly an unknown player. The sophomore OLB had a breakout season with 15.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks.

Despite his great year, he has not received much acclaim in the national press. Moore could have a big game against Northwestern and put himself on the Butkus Award watch list for the 2012 season.

Moore can dominate a game defensively. He is a future NFL player and can put himself on the preseason All-American teams with a big game against Northwestern.

CB Dustin Harris

Dustin Harris is probably the most physically gifted CB on the A&M squad.

He is six feet tall and runs a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. He is one of the better punt returners in the country.

As a freshman, Harris shut down Georgia's A.J. Green in the Independence Bowl. He has NFL talent but struggles to be consistent for four quarters in a row.

Harris can make an impact in the Texas Bowl on special teams or on defense. The Aggies are going to need Harris to step up as a senior in 2012 when they lose two starters in the secondary to graduation.

Harris can show that he is ready for a larger role on the defense with a big game against Northwestern.

S Howard Matthews

Howard Matthews is a freshman safety who excels at getting to the quarterback on the safety blitz. He has had 26 tackles and two sacks on the year.

Matthews will compete for a starting spot at safety in 2012. He is the type of athlete at safety who could impact a game by forcing a fumble or snagging an interception.

Howard Matthews can make a name for himself in the Texas Bowl.

WR Malcome Kennedy

Freshman wide receiver Malcome Kennedy has had 11 receptions for 140 yards this season.

He has shown good hands and the ability to get open this year. Kennedy has made some key third down conversions in 2011. He plays like someone who deserves a bigger role in the offense.

Kennedy can show A&M fans that he is ready to be an impact player with a big game against Northwestern.

He can prove to the Aggies that he is capable of filling the void left by Jeff Fuller's graduation.

RB Ben Malena

Sophomore running back Ben Malena will have the chance against Northwestern to show the Aggies that he is ready to be a 20-carry back in the SEC in 2012.

Malena had a solid game in his only start against Texas, and has rushed for 182 yards and four touchdowns in 2011.

He will have the chance to show a national audience that he is an impact player.

Cyrus Gray has been practicing with the team and may get the start against Northwestern. Malena will still see plenty of playing time even if Gray does start the game.

Malena has the power and speed to give the Northwestern defense fits. It will be interesting to see what he can do against the B1G foe.