Jimbo Fisher breaks down Texas A&M's special teams

In football, a lot of attention is paid to the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. But the third element of the game, special teams, can often be the deciding factor. In fall camp this year, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has been keeping a watchful eye on his special teams and recently broke down how they have fared in camp as of late.

“Right now, I’m very pleased with our snappers. We’ve been snapping the ball extremely well,” said Fisher. “Our operation times are really well. Our kickers are hitting the balls, even balls if not every kick every field goal’s made, but the sound of the ball, the rotation of the ball; we’re not hitting balls, not spraying balls, and you’re barely off. The punting game is going really well. I’ve been really pleased with our specialist. There’s a lot of consistency, and hitting the ball very well.

“Returning-wise, I mean, Ainias (Smith) will be back returning punts. You got Moose (Muhammad III), who is returning punts. Bryce Anderson is a guy we looked at in spring that I think can really be in that. There’s a couple of these young guys can be really good. Kickoff is the same way… We have some really good guys and guys that I think are very dynamic with the ball that can create some plays.”

Solid special teams play will go a long way for Texas A&M this season. Last year, Texas A&M had a handful of games that went down to the wire where special teams played a critical role in the outcome. This season, Fisher is making sure that if the game comes down to kicking or returns, the Aggies will have the upper hand regardless of the opponent.

Fisher on Texas A&M’s chemistry: ‘I like our dynamic’

Another aspect that will play a critical role in Texas A&M’s success in 2023 will be the team’s chemistry, which Fisher also addressed. A year removed from a disappointing season, Fisher is optimistic about his team heading into 2023. And he’s hopeful the chemistry he’s seeing get forged now will carry on through the season.

That’s not a guarantee and Fisher knows that, with last year as a strong example of what can happen when things aren’t quite in harmony. However, he’s encouraged by the energy, effort and dynamic from his team during practices.

“You just get a sense. How guys are working, how they’re relating to each other. I like our guys, I like our dynamic right now. I really do. I like our dynamic as far as the energy we have in practice, coming with a purpose to meetings. Guys seem to be very locked in, very driven, very motivated. And you can sense it and an urgency to do things right. Just from the communication, the questions to each other, to coaches, that dynamic in practice,” Fisher said.