SECN's Cole Cubelic talks A&M's Spring Game, tough 2019 schedule

Key notes from Cole Cubelic interview

• We saw some massive steps in the right direction for A&M football. They can now play in the trenches with elite SEC teams. The unfortunate thing is, a lot of their core is gone. Daylon Mack finally showed what he was capable of after showing only flashes his first three years. To lose Eric McCoy hurts too. He was a tone-setter, a leader, and one of the most physical guys. Kellen Mond will now have to emerge in a leadership role and hone in on his game. No one talks about Trayveon Williams enough, he led the SEC in rushing by something like 300 yards. He was ultra productive every year at A&M. Jace Sternberger gave teams big mismatch problems and gave the receivers an easier job due to the space he took up. 
   
• Kenyon Green‍ is a guy that stood out to me as a guy that can contribute right away as a freshman. Athletically, he has good flexibility. It allows him to get good leverage. It’s not just about how strong you are, it’s about leverage, angles, hand placement, and understanding pad levels. He doesn’t have to start day one, but he can provide depth immediately at guard or tackle. In this league you’ll get beat as a tackle, so it’s about how you respond mentally from giving up a big play. 
   
• The good news for offensive lineman in the SEC is that so many interior defensive linemen are gone. Every single team had a legit NFL player on the interior defensive line, so offensive linemen won’t have their work cut out for them like they did last year. 
   
• I think Kellen Mond has a chance to be the second best quarterback in the SEC. Mond needs to protect the football, but he’s really developed over the course of last year. Jake Fromm has struggled with accuracy and consistency. I’m also excited to see Felipe Franks’ progression because of all the tools he has. Jimbo Fisher and Dan Mullen are two of the best in the country at developing quarterbacks. Joe Burrow is another guy fighting for that two spot with that great receiving core. But right now, Mond is my number two based on all the factors. He’s got the chance to show he’s number two with all the great teams he’ll be up against. There is a good chance A&M is playing the top three teams in the country. They need to look at it as an opportunity game. Even though they lost, the Clemson game showed A&M that they can compete with the best teams in the country. 
   
• I think it’ll be tough for A&M to hit nine wins, especially with the final two road games. Arkansas won’t take a step forward even if Nick Starkel tears it up, there just isn’t enough guys there. Ole Miss and Mississippi State lose a bunch of guys. Outside of those top teams, most teams aren’t taking a step forward.
   
• I think Jhamon Ausbon shows out tonight because he’s the most talented in that group. With some big names missing, he should put on a show tonight. The guy who stuck out to me when I studied A&M was Justin Madubuike. He didn’t get enough credit for how physical he is. He’s an absolute freak-show inside.