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Wilkin Formby appeared fatigued and drenched in sweat following a Texas A&M football practice in nearly 100-degree heat on Thursday.
It was the kind of heat he was warned about months ago when the massive offensive tackle opted to transfer to A&M from Alabama.
“In Tuscaloosa, they were like, ‘Oh, it’s (the heat) going to be worse in Texas,’” he said. “And I was like, ‘Nah.’ I found out quick that it does get hotter here.”
All Aggies who’ve spent summers in Texas are well aware of the torrid heat. They don’t worry about it.
They do, however, worry about whether Formby and his cohorts along Texas A&M’s rebuilt offensive line can keep the heat off quarterback Marcel Reed in the upcoming season.
Last year, A&M’s offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the Southeastern Conference. That line also paved the way for the SEC’s No. 3-ranked running game.
But four starters — all selected in the NFL Draft — have departed.
So, it’s understandable if some Aggies are anxious about the new line.
Wilkin Formby is listed at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds.
Danny Grant, TexAgs
Formby seemed to suggest they can cool down. It seems the only thing hotter than the weather is the competition on the line of scrimmage at practice.
“It’s coming along well,” he said. “It’s just a unique group. So many guys are capable of playing. It’s different lineups every day in practice, every period.
“But it breeds confidence, I’m sure, in our coaches and in our offense when we have so many talented players at each position.”
Formby is one of four offensive linemen with SEC starting experience to join A&M via the transfer portal. Tyree Adams and Coen Echols transferred from LSU. Trovon Baugh transferred from South Carolina.
They joined returning starting center Mark Nabou Jr., as well as emerging players like Blake Ivy, Robert Bourdon and Lamont Rogers.
“We have so many talented players — so many game-ready players — that it’s really exciting,” Formby said. “A lot of great depth and good guys that can contribute to a lot of victories.”
“We have so many talented players — so many game-ready players — that it’s really exciting. A lot of great depth and good guys that can contribute to a lot of victories.”
- Texas A&M offensive lineman Wilkin Formby
Talent probably isn’t a problem. Cohesion could be. Offensive lines must perform as one synchronized unit. Indeed, A&M’s best offensive lines typically have experience playing together.
A&M’s line this season could have five starters who never played a season together.
Formby doesn’t seem too concerned.
“I think it’s definitely been something that we’ve talked about — players, coaches, everybody,” he said. “But I think this dates back to January when we all get in the room together and gel together on and off the field.
“We’re taking advantage of things like walk-throughs. Being able to build the camaraderie and the kind of chemistry.
“Just building that is big, but when you have so many players who are talented and rep a lot of reps with each other, then it’s not a huge worry.”
Offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins, who wants a consistent, productive running game, doesn’t seem overly concerned, either.
He pointed out a good running game requires halfbacks to break tackles, quarterbacks to carry out fakes and receivers to block downfield.
“The offensive line has done a great job taking on that stress and doing a great job coming out and trying to make sure they move the line of scrimmage. Anchor here, control the tempo because they control a lot of what we do.”
- Texas A&M offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins
But there’s no doubt a strong running game starts with a good offensive line.
“The offensive line has done a great job taking on that stress and doing a great job coming out and trying to make sure they move the line of scrimmage,” Wiggins said. “Anchor here, control the tempo because they control a lot of what we do.”
Formby recognized the Maroon Goons of last season set a high standard to uphold.
“I think the big motivation is like watching the guys, how they played last year and used to get after teams,” Formby said. “Their O-line had a big identity in this team. We don’t want that to skip a beat.
“We want to be physical. We want to play fast. We want to just get after our opponents and set the tone for our offense and our entire team.”
And, of course, they want to keep the heat off Reed.