Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher often says if a player won’t bite as a puppy he won’t bite as a dog.
In that case, the Aggies appear to be raising a kennel full of pit bulls.
Center Bryce Foster, offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree, defensive lineman Shemar Turner, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and cornerback Tyreek Chappell were named to the 2021 Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team on Thursday.
The five representatives are the most of any in the SEC. The team was voted on by the league coaches.
Those freshmen helped the Aggies to an 8-4 campaign that was tantalizingly close to 10-2 or better. They will try to help A&M defeat Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 31.
Foster and Fatheree were part of a line that allowed just 19 sacks and enabled the Aggies to average 183 rushing yards.
Chappell was pressed into a starting role early in the season because of injuries to Myles Jones and Brian George. He responded by breaking up nine passes, posting 41 tackles and getting an interception.
Cooper, a first-time starter, notched 58 tackles. That total included 5.5 tackles for loss. He also had an interception, broke up a pass and was credited with two quarterback hurries.
Turner played in a backup role at defensive tackle. He had 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and was credited with a quarterback hurry.
The five representatives are the most for A&M on the All-Freshman team since 2018 when the Aggies had four players.
Jashaun Corbin was listed at running back, all purpose and return specialist that year. Also honored that year was defensive tackle Bobby Brown, defensive end Tyree Johnson and kicker Seth Small.
Brown, Johnson and Small went on to play a huge role in the 2020 campaign in which the Aggies finished 9-1, were ranked No. 4 and won the Orange Bowl.
Offense
QB
Anthony Richardson, Florida
RB
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
WR
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Malik Nabers, LSU
TE
Brock Bowers, Georgia
OL
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Reuben Fatheree II, Texas A&M
Eli Acker, Ole Miss
Tyshawn Wannamaker, South Carolina
C
Bryce Foster, Texas A&M
AP
Juju McDowell, South Carolina
Defense
DL
Maason Smith, LSU
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Mekhi Wingo, Missouri
Alex Huntley, South Carolina
LB
Dallas Turner, Alabama
Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
DB
Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Tysheem Johnson, Ole Miss
Special Teams
PK Cam Little, Arkansas
P
Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida
RS
Juju McDowell, South Carolina*
JoJo Earle, Alabama*
(* - Ties)
WC94 said:
Key & Peele Allstars
DB
Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Tysheem Johnson, Ole Miss
