Special teams don’t always get headlines, but if you’ve followed Texas A&M football you know they’ve decided more than a few games in recent history. With a reliable kicker, one of the best young punters in the country, and some intriguing return options, the Aggies head into 2025 with a steady unit here.
Who did we lose?
- A couple of depth kickers wrapped up their careers. The main guys who actually handled kicks, punts, and snaps are all back.
Who do we bring back?
- Randy Bond is a grad senior with all the experience. He drilled 20 of 24 field goals last year, including a career-long from 55. He also hit every single extra point. Bond has turned into one of the SEC’s most dependable kickers.
- Tyler White was a weapon as a freshman punter. He averaged just under 45 yards a boot, dropped 25 inside the 20, and even had a nice 69-yarder. There aren’t many punters who can change momentum in the SEC but White is one of them.
- Jared Zirkel handled kickoff duties and gave the Aggies a big leg for touchbacks. He’s quality depth at kicker too, with enough range to step in if Bond ever misses time.
- Jacob Graham is the long snapper and you know they don’t get much love. Never noticing them is exactly the point. He’s been flawless the last two years.
What other names should we know?
- Terry Bussey is a favorite as the primary return man. He showed flashes last year with a 24.1-yard average on kickoffs. If he stays healthy, he’s got the juice to house one.
- Rueben Owens II should also get opportunities on kickoffs now that he’s back from injury. Having a former five-star RB with his speed in the return game is not a bad option.
- K.C. Concepcion and Ashton Bethel-Roman are other names worth watching at punt return. Coaches are still experimenting, but we’ll know soon enough.
Overall Grade: A-
Between Bond and White, A&M has one of the better kicking and punting duos in the SEC. That alone raises the floor of this unit. The big unknown is the return game. If Bussey becomes a threat and Owens
stays healthy, this unit could push into elite territory. For now, it’s a very solid A- for the unit.
