2013 Texas AandM Aggies football team

Previous season

In 2012, Texas A&M played their first season in the SEC. They started out unranked and lost their opener to No. 24 Florida. However, the Aggies bounced back and went on a five-game win streak, including victories over two SEC West teams – Arkansas and Ole Miss – and a win over No. 23 Louisiana Tech. They fell to No. 6 LSU in a close home game before winning their final five regular-season games, highlighted by an upset victory over the defending national champion, No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The streak also included a victory over No. 17 Mississippi State. The 2012 season saw the rise of quarterback Johnny Manziel, who went on to win the 2012 Heisman trophy as the first freshman ever to do so. The Aggies accepted an invitation to the 2013 Cotton Bowl Classic, in which they definitively handled old Big XII rival Oklahoma 41–13, and finished the season 11–2.

2013 NFL Draft

Five Texas A&M players were drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft.

After the draft, seven Aggies were signed as undrafted free agents.

Spring practice

Spring practice began on March 1 and ended with the annual Maroon and White game on April 13, which was televised nationally on ESPN. It also included an open scrimmage on March 23 and the Friday Night Lights game on April 5. A few key players were out with injuries: junior WR Malcome Kennedy, senior LB Steven Jenkins, sophomore DE Julien Obioha, and senior DL Kirby Ennis.

Throughout the spring, A&M saw great play out of its receivers (especially Mike Evans), the offensive line, led by senior LT Jake Matthews, and quarterbacks group, led by the all-star talent of Johnny Manziel. The running backs group looked loaded with talent and depth (including senior Ben Malena and sophomores Trey Williams, Tra Carson, and Brandon Williams) and looked to be a position of strength for the Aggies as well. The defensive backfield also seemed to have a few playmakers in CB Deshazor Everett and S Floyd Raven Sr. The linebacking corps, however, showed a lack of depth, especially without Senior Steven Jenkins, and was projected as an area of concern for the Aggies in the coming season. Another area of potential issue for A&M was the defensive line, as there was little depth (compounded by injuries) and a thus much riding on incoming freshmen that couldn't practice in the spring.

In the Maroon and White game, the Maroon (offense) prevailed over the White (defense) 43–23. For the quarterbacks, Manziel went 23-of-30 for 303 yards and three touchdowns, Matt Joeckel went 8-of-21 for 88 yards, and Matt Davis went 7-of-12 for 112 yards. Ben Malena played little (only 3 carries for 12 yards), so the team was led by sophomores Brandon Williams (7 for 59 yards and 1 TD) and Trey Williams (7 for 67 yards and 1 TD). Mike Evans had a solid game receiving with 5 catches for 73 yards, as did Derel Walker (5 for 79 yards and 1 TD) and LaKendrick Williams (7 for 105 yards). As for the defense, sacks were made by Nate Askew, Tyrone Taylor, Jordan Points, and Tyrell Taylor (who had 2).

Fall practice

Fall camp began on August 5 and concluded on August 25. It also included an open scrimmage on August 17 and Meet the Aggies Day on August 24. Several freshmen stood out during the camp, including receivers Ricky Seals-Jones and LaQuvionte Gonzalez; linebackers Darian Claiborne and Jordan Mastrogiovanni; defensive linemen Isaiah Golden, Daeshon Hall, and Hardreck Walker.

Predictions

Five editors from Athlon Sports and Stewart Mandel of SI.com predicted Texas A&M to finish 10–2. The SEC media projected A&M to finish second in the SEC West, behind Alabama.

Recruiting class

In the 2013 recruiting class, Texas A&M signed 32 players (31 not counting TCU transfer A.J. Hilliard), 10 of which were included in the ESPN 300, with 5 of those in the ESPN 150. The class was ranked 8th in the nation by ESPN, 11th by Rivals, and 6th nationally by Scout.

Depth chart

Schedule

Texas A&M's 2013 schedule was released by the Southeastern Conference and Texas A&M on October 18, 2012.