Texas A&M Aggies

During Johnny Manziel's memorable 2012 season, the redshirt freshman quarterback saw his nickname, "Johnny Football," explode in popularity.

Now, the Texas A&M signal caller is doing what he can to protect the moniker.

Manziel's corporation, JMAN2 Enterprises, filed a lawsuit in Texas last week against a man selling T-shirts bearing the "Johnny Football" nickname, according to a story by ESPN's Darren Rovell. In the suit, Manziel claims that Eric Vaughan, a man who was selling T-shirts that read, "Keep Calm and Johnny Football," infringed on his trademark rights.

Read the full story here.

GigEmNation writer Sam Khan Jr. chatted with readers on Friday about Texas A&M football and recruiting. Here's the full transcript of the chat. Here's an excerpt from the chat:

Hallan (Boston): Does Manziel get another Heisman despite losing WRs and Joeckel?
Sam Khan Jr.: It won't be easy. Manziel is talented enough to do it, but it won't be good enough to go 11-2 again this year to win it. Because of the huge season the Aggies had last year, they probably have to be ranked in the top two at the end of the regular season for him to have a serious chance at winning it again. After seeing what I saw last year though, I'll never count against him.

Evan (CS): Will Zach Whitley make his decision before his senior season starts?
Sam Khan Jr.: Evan, when I visited with Whitley a couple of weeks ago, he told me he doesn't intend to decide until after his senior season. Now a lot of recruits say that, and things can change. Whitley said he's committed to his high school team and focused on that. If he wavers from that plan, we'll know by late spring/early summer. If in the summer time he still talks about waiting until the end of his senior season, then I'll for sure believe that.

Chad (Houston): What is the best way to utilize all of the playmakers on the RB depth chart next year? There are a couple of studs, but when you run 4- and 5-WR sets, you can't have a lot of RBs on the field also.
Sam Khan Jr.: Chad, that's going to be on Clarence McKinney and Kevin Sumlin. I think you could see some wrinkles like Houston used when they had three quality starting running backs in 2011 (Sumlin's last year at Houston). They had some diamond formation packages with all three running backs back there, and if any of them are good enough to split out at receiver, you can put those guys in motion in the passing game. More than anything, it's huge for their depth. Naturally, because of his size, I think you see Tra Carson (230-240 pounds) being more of a short-yardage, in-between-the-tackles type; Ben Malena probably remains the starter; and Trey Williams will probably continue to be a change-of-pace type. The wild card is Brandon Williams, who is extremely talented. He has the potential to be a game-breaker.

Renderings of the $425 million renovation to Kyle Field are starting to leak out, and they look mighty impressive.

The work is supposed to begin on Nov. 10, a day after Texas A&M plays its final home game of the 2013 season.

The new seating capacity is expected to exceed 100,000 and could make Kyle Field the largest stadium in the SEC. Currently, Tennessee's Neyland Stadium has the largest seating capacity (102,455).

To get a glimpse of some of the renderings of the new Kyle Field, click here.

With Kyle Field expected to surpass 100,000 in seating capacity, that means the SEC would have three stadiums that seat more than 100,000. Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium has a seating capacity of 101,821.

Eight of the 14 home stadiums in the SEC seat at least 80,000 people.

• Tennessee (Neyland Stadium) -- 102,455
• Alabama (Bryant-Denny Stadium) -- 101,821
• Georgia (Sanford Stadium) -- 92,746
• LSU (Tiger Stadium) -- 92,542
• Florida (The Swamp) -- 88,548
• Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium) -- 87,451
• Texas A&M (Kyle Field) -- 82,589
• South Carolina (Williams-Brice Stadium) -- 80,250

John Clayton says that when workouts start Saturday, scouts should keep an eye on Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel.

Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites will look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins Friday in Indianapolis, and other predraft camps. Today: Defensive linemen and linebackers.

Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M's defense was a question mark coming into the 2012 season, but those questions were answered definitively as the Aggies became a solid defensive squad, thanks in large part to three players who will be participating in the combine:

• DE Damontre Moore (Position rank: No. 4)
  Strengths: Explosiveness and production. Moore was a handful for opposing offensive tackles this year because of his quickness and explosiveness as a pass-rusher. He has good speed for his size and position; that could be seen against Mississippi State when he chased down receiver Chris Smith from behind on a 42-yard completion. He was near the top nationally in sacks and tackles for loss.
  Weaknesses: He can be too aggressive in his pursuit occasionally, although he has good instincts. A year ago, inconsistency might have been a concern and there also might have been character questions because of an arrest for marijuana possession before his sophomore season, but neither appear to be issues now. He seems to have matured and has become a consistent, day-in and day-out player under Kevin Sumlin.
  Comparison: Todd McShay compared Moore to Atlanta defensive end John Abraham. They have similar frames (both are 6-4, Abraham is about 15 pounds heavier than Moore's 248), and both are quick and fit well as 4-3 defensive ends.
• OLB Sean Porter (Position rank: No. 12)
  Strengths: He's durable, reliable and became a leader for the Aggies. Showed good speed when serving as a pass-rusher in 2011. He is quick and can close quickly. Good instincts, versatile talent.
  Weaknesses: Doesn't excel in coverage, though he has showed improvement in that area. Could be a more physical player and more consistent overall.
  Comparison: Lance Briggs. About the same height as Porter, though a little bigger in weight, Briggs has good range and is a playmaker. It might be too much to say Porter will be at the level of Briggs (seven-time Pro Bowl player), but he should fit in nicely as a versatile starting weakside linebacker for someone.
• LB Jonathan Stewart (Position rank: No. 16)
  Strengths: Smart player with good size for his position. Shows good instincts as he's often around the ball. Was one of the leaders on A&M's defense this year.
  Weaknesses: Not a dominant playmaking presence. Has speed but not tremendously explosive.
  Comparison: Kirk Morrison. Stewart should be a solid, though not flashy, linebacker in a 4-3 scheme which is what Morrison has been throughout his career with Oakland and Buffalo. Both are of similar size and frame.

-- Sam Khan Jr., GigEmNation

Florida Gators

The heart of the Gators’ 2012 defense will participate in the combine today. DT Sharrif Floyd, whose stock is rising rapidly as he is projected to be taken as high as No. 3, had a fantastic season and anchored UF’s front. He dominated Florida State’s front, and his mixture of size, strength and quickness has scouts drooling. ILB Jon Bostic started every game the past two seasons and was UF’s leader on defense. Nobody was more dependable than Bostic. OLB Jelani Jenkins was limited in 2012 because of a broken finger, a strained hamstring and a broken foot, but when healthy he’s a solid player. OLB Lerentee McCray was forced into action at the buck position (hybrid end/linebacker) because of the injury to Ronald Powell. He didn’t produce big numbers but was a high-effort, high-motor guy.

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