Texas A&M Aggies

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- On the surface, it's easy to surmise that there will be plenty of continuity in Texas A&M's offensive line as it transitions into a new season.

Three of five starters return from what was the strongest position group on the team in 2012.

But just because a few familiar names are still around doesn't mean things are the same. There is plenty of change for the Aggies' front five this spring.

Of the quintet, only one player -- junior left guard Jarvis Harrison -- returns to the same position he was in a year ago. The rest of the offensive linemen are stepping into a new role, either as a returning starter in a new position or as a first-time starter.

After having what was arguably the best offensive tackle tandem in the country last year, the Aggies wave goodbye to one of them (Luke Joeckel, who declared for the NFL draft) and welcome back another in senior Jake Matthews.

Matthews spent last season at right tackle but has moved to left tackle, Joeckel's old spot, to protect Johnny Manziel's blind side. Taking Matthews' place at right tackle is the Cedric Ogbuehi, who started at right guard a season ago.

"They've become comfortable, I think, pretty quickly as far as their footwork goes," offensive line coach B.J. Anderson said of the tackle tandem. "What we're working now is all the little things. Right now, Jake's changed his post hand. It's his left hand when he's on the right side and now on the left side he has to change his post hand. We've got to work through the little things.

"Ced's the same way. There's a lot more grass out there when you play tackle. But he's long and athletic and he's done a nice job and we'll just keep working on those little things."

Since the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Matthews has excelled as a right tackle, there are high expectations for him as he moves to the left side. Ogbuehi was a tackle in high school, so the move outside is natural fit for him as well.

"The biggest change is that I'm going against faster dudes, my sets are different," Ogbuehi said. "Other than that, it's the same thing really.

"I was excited and also sad that Luke left. But it's a big change for me to show what I can do, because I'm athletic. Playing guard, I didn't really showcase that. Playing tackle is going to show what I can really do and also show that I'm versatile, that I can play guard and tackle."

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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. Topics covered included Jake Matthews' return, the promotion of Clarence McKinney to co-offensive coordinator and playcaller and of course, recruiting. Here's an excerpt from Friday's chat:

Drew (Colleyville, TX): So with Jake Matthews coming back does this mean he will be moved over to LT? And if so who do you think will be the RT next year? And who do we have on the C depth chart that can take over? Thanks for the chats!
Sam Khan Jr.: Drew, yes, Matthews will be moved to LT. That should be a good transition for him and I think he'll do well. As for right tackle, I think you're looking a few possibilities: redshirt freshman Joseph Cheek, who backed up Matthews and played in the "unbalanced line" power running formations could be an option. True freshman Germain Ifedi, who was on the two-deep, is an option. And I wouldn't rule out moving someone out to right tackle that's already in the lineup (maybe RG Cedric Ogbuehi?). As for center, Mike Matthews, the younger brother of Jake Matthews, will be the heir apparent to Patrick Lewis. Matthews is the favorite to start and was the backup this year. Look for him to be a possible three-year starter at C for the Aggies.

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- With the AT&T Cotton Bowl approaching, Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said he's in no rush to hire an offensive coordinator to fill the void left by Kliff Kingsbury, the former Aggies offensive coordinator who left Dec. 12 to accept the head coaching job at Texas Tech.

"We're not going to change what we're doing before Jan. 4, so anybody we brought in here from the outside would have to learn what we're doing, not us learn what what they're doing," Sumlin said during a pre-bowl news conference last week. "To have us learn what they're doing by Jan. 4 just doesn't make sense to me."

So as the Aggies prepare for their Cotton Bowl showdown with Oklahoma, a few minor adjustments have been made to the staff to fill the void left by Kingsbury for the time being. Running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Clarence McKinney, who worked Kingsbury and during game and oversaw the running game portion of the offense with offensive line coach B.J. Anderson, will call plays in the Cotton Bowl. Receivers coach David Beaty, who was involved in passing game preparations along with Kingsbury and offensive graduate assistant Klint Kubiak, will also assume the role of quarterbacks coach.

McKinney has been on Sumlin's staff since Sumlin first became a head coach in 2008 at Houston. Anderson joined Sumlin's Houston staff a year later while Beaty and Kubiak joined Sumlin this year for the first time.

The way the assignments were organized throughout the year means the transition in the meantime isn't drastic.

"During the week, Clarence McKinney and B.J. Anderson really did a lot during the year -- most of the run game prep and personnel and things for the game plan," Sumlin said. "David and Kliff and Klint Kubiak actually did a lot with the passing game. I think Kliff did a great job of organization during that time and the action during the game. Our guys have been around it.

"David and Clarence are really spearheading this deal, but B.J. has always been the run game guy as the line coach and the pass protection, sets the protection. So we work together the same way. Right now our guys are doing well, with David moving over and being in the quarterback room and Klint Kubiak, really right now, who has done a really fine job has been coaching the inside receivers the whole year with David on the outside. Now he's got more flexibility with the receiving core and has done a fine job the whole year."

When it comes to McKinney, Sumlin feels that he knows and understands the offense well having worked in it the last five seasons.

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