COLLEGE STATION --- The Texas A&M football team received
another top 10 preseason ranking after being rated No. 10 in the 2011 Grantland Rice poll, which is administered by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Aggies have previously been ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press media poll and No. 9 in the USA Today head coaches poll and ESPN’s Power Rankings.
The Texas A&M football team returned to the practice field for a single workout after having a much-needed day off on Sunday. The Aggies practiced two hours in full pads on the Coolidge Grass Practice Fields on Monday morning.
After the workout, Sherman was asked about non-scholarship player Travis Labhart, who has been making plays in fall camp. Labhart joined the Aggies last spring after serving as a practice player for Gary Blair’s NCAA Champion women’s basketball team, Sherman said.
“I didn’t really know who he was until last spring when he started making some plays,” Sherman said. “I think he has a legitimate chance to play for us. He reminds me a little bit of (former A&M player) Roger Holland. He’s got that type of quickness and speed. I told him, “Get ready to play.’”
Sherman was asked what led him to give cornerback Dustin Harris a look at wide receiver, and he picked up a stopwatch to get his point across.
“It’s this thing…his 40-yard dash time,” Sherman said while clicking the stopwatch. “I think he has a tremendous burst off the ball, so I wanted to take a look at him. We have, and I like what I see. He’ll play offense for us, as well as defense. It’s not indicative of what he’s not doing on defense, as much as he’s a player that might be able to do both things for us. We’re definitely going to use him.”
Asked when he would start solidifying his player rotations, Sherman said simply, “Right now. We’re headed that way right now.”
But while Sherman is determining his core players, he made it clear that it won’t come at the detriment of his young players.
“I still want to go multiple groups,” he said. “To develop players, it’s got to be a three-ring circus out there with players getting reps. I do not want a player – scout, scholarship, starter, backup, third team, fourth team – to leave that field without contributing in some way, so we’re always going to get reps for those guys. They’re going to work, and they’re going to get better in the process.”
The Aggies will have a pair of workouts on Tuesday, and then a scrimmage on Wednesday. Wednesday’s scrimmage is only open to those who have purchased tickets to the “Countdown to Kickoff” event in the Zone Club. This includes media coverage of the scrimmage.
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
· PRACTICES TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
· Practices inside the McFerrin Indoor facility are closed to the public due to fire codes.
· Practices are open to players’ families, lettermen, current students, former students, faculty and staff with TAMU ID and 12th Man Foundation members. (Except for Wednesday’s scrimmage, which is open only to “Countdown to Kickoff” participants.)
· No cameras, cell phones or note pads allowed.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, Aug. 23
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #17
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #18 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24
4:05 pm - Practice #19 (Closed to all except “Countdown to Kickoff” participants)
“Countdown to Kickoff Dinner”
THURSDAY, Aug. 25
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #20
FRIDAY, Aug. 26
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #21 http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205246256
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