New Offensive Starters: WR Denzel Keyes (6-4, 210, So.), LT Brandon Parker (6-7, 275, R-Fr.), RG Josh Mattocks (6-3, 310, R-Fr.), RT Wes Cole (6-6, 306, So.), QB Kwashaun Quick (6-0, 188, Jr.), WR Joseph Spann (5-10, 164, So.)
Returning Offensive Starters: LG William Ray Robinson (6-2, 307, R-Sr.)*, C Ronald Canty (6-0, 277, R-Sr.)**, WR Desmond Lawrence (5-10, 181, Sr.)*, TE Dequan Swann (6-1, 226, R-Jr.), RB Tarik Cohen (5-6, 172, So.)*, FB Anthony McMinn II (6-1, 228, R-So.)
Key Offensive Losses: LG Danye Gorrell (6-2, 306), RG Timothy Sunkins (6-4, 332), RT Nathan Isles (6-5, 324), TE/FB Devin Moore (6-0, 264), QB Lewis Kindle (6-1, 205), RB Dominique Drake (5-9, 202), RB Ricky Lewis (5-9, 187), WR Demonta Brown (6-0, 184)
New Defensive Starters: DE Angelo Keyes (6-1, 263, R-So.), LB Denzel Jones (5-9, 231, R-Jr.), NG Marquis Ragland (6-3, 265, R-So.), LB Jeremy Taylor (5-11, 183, R-Fr.), Landis Shoffner (6-0, 172, Jr.), CB Donald Mattocks (5-8, 178, R-Sr.), S Zerius Lockhart (5-10, 175, R-Fr.), CB Tony McRae (5-9, 175, Jr.)**
Returning Defensive Starters: DE Daniel Pinnix (6-1, 237, Sr.)***, DT Michael Neal (5-11, 270, Jr.)***, LB D’Vonte Grant (5-10, 195, R-Sr.)*
Key Defensive Losses: DE Tyree Hearn (6-1, 221), LB Brian Houston (5-11, 235), ROV Travis Crosby (5-9, 189), S Isaiah Martin (5-8, 185), CB D’Vonte Graham (5-7, 160), CB Ayodeji Olatoye (6-1, 197)
New Specialists: PR Khris Gardin (5-8, 160, Fr.); LS Austin Venable (5-10, 220, Fr.)
Returning Specialists: PK Cody Jones (5-11, 136, So.)***, P Dominic Frescura (6-2, 202, So.)***, KOR Tony McRae**, KOR Desmond Lawrence
Key Specialists Losses: PR D’Vonte Graham
*Preseason first-team All-MEAC
**Preseason second-team All-MEAC
***Preseason third-team All-MEAC
Strength: When you have three fifth-year seniors like D’Vonte Grant, William Ray Robinson III and Ronald Canty as leaders you’re at an advantage. Grant has the led the Aggies tackles from the first day he stepped on the field, and Robinson and Canty have been fixtures on the Aggies offensive line. Junior cornerback Tony McRae is a first-year starter but has earned enough playing time over the first two years of his career to know what he is doing on the field. When you throw his vocal leadership into the mix, the Aggies are very strong in the leadership department.
Weakness: The Aggies want a little more consistency on offense. Last season, A&T lost by five points on three separate occasions and by one point on another occasions. An extra touchdown or two in 2014 to go along with one of the best defenses in the country can’t hurt. A&T certainly believes it has the weapons with 1,000-yard rusher Tarik Cohen, All-American collegiate sprinter Desmond Lawrence and athletic quarterback Kwashaun Quick.
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