Jamie McCoy details his high expectations for Texas A&M in 2023

Former Texas A&M tight end Jamie McCoy joined Monday's edition of TexAgs Radio to discuss the Aggies as we are now 26 days away from kickoff vs. New Mexico. McCoy gave his thoughts on goals he has for Texas A&M this season and players looking to break out this fall.

Key notes from Jamie McCoy interview

• You got to have some bit of caution coming off of last year after having expectations that were through the roof. At the same time, in my opinion, you can’t go anywhere but up. I’m excited to see how we come out and fight this year.
   
• I’d like to see Conner Weigman have a good year and have more touchdowns than interceptions. I’d like to see two running backs hit 1,000 yards rushing, our quarterback be protected and our tight ends sprinkle in wherever you can — blocking, receiving, wherever you can make an impact.
   
• You have got to get to eight wins. With all the talent we have, I would love 10 wins. That would be a great year for us, but I think you have to get to eight.
   
• I’m excited to see what Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino can do together. I think they’ll be good together. They’ve got a goal in mind, and they are going to move the ball down the field.
   
• As long as you don’t rock the boat, what’s there to complain about when you are winning games? There’s always stuff to fix, but winning solves everything.
   
• Feed the studs. They are highly talented for a reason. When you get them the ball, it draws attention from the defense. They might have to double Ainias Smith or Evan Stewart, and that will allow opportunities for role players to step up. Before we even get there, let’s identify who our star players are, and get them the ball.
   
• We had speed when I was here. With me being able to be on the line, flex out or even at fullback, we would get you off balance. In two seconds, we already knew what the play was when the defense was still figuring out what to do. The other way was with motion, switching setups and formations. Speed and motion are two good ways to keep defenses off-balance.
   
• I see them getting in these two tight-end sets, and when you think it’s a run, we pass it. Or we go four wide, they think it’s a pass, and we run it. You never know what they’ll do. You see that with Ainias Smith. Teams don’t know if he’s a running back or a receiver.
   
• I’m optimistic. I see us doing nothing but going up and getting better. I don’t know if we had more than five touchdowns from tight ends last year, but I’d like to see two of these guys get at least 35 catches. I think we’ll have mismatches all around and be able to dictate what we do on offense.
   
• It can be tough, especially being the receiver type of tight end and then having to go block. That was my deal. You are mismatched and outweighed by those defensive linemen, so you got to be willing to put your face in there. It’s a lot to ask, so we’ll see if we got the guys who can fit the bill. Then you’ve got Max Wright, who looks more like a blocker, but he’s able to make some big catches. You always keep the defense guessing. It’s all about putting your hand in the pile and helping the team. My mentality was whatever the team needed. Put me in and let me make that play to help the team.
   
• Last year, Ainias Smith had to sit out most of the season, so you know how much it means to him to be back for another year. Guys like that, you can’t coach against them, and you can’t scheme against them. This should be a big year for him. I hope for a healthy year for him. I hope he and Demani Richardson set the tone for this team. They could’ve gone to the draft, but they are back to lead the team and really set the tone.
   
• For now, I’ll be realistic and say my confidence is a seven or an eight. I’m waiting for someone to open up this linebacker wave for us. I’m waiting for a guy to be an All-American and open up the floodgates to prove we’ve got these elite guys. We need them to pressure the quarterback, get tipped balls and really make an impact.
   
• As a defense, stopping the run should be your identity because everything goes through the run. With some of our odd fronts, let’s make sure we got the positions filled to do that and have gap integrity. I’d love to see us stop the run, get sacks and play like guys with our heads on fire.