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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 1992)
Who s gonna Departure of am Smith and Riflso Aggies with t»f r BY DOUG FOSTER Sports Editor of THE BATTALION Lost Leaders... The Texas A&M football team will try and provide another successful season in 1992. But, to do so, the Aggies will have to replace three of their leaders from the past few seasons who provid ed physical and emotional leadership on the field before signing contracts in the National Football League. Former A&M cornerback Kevin Smith (26, top) celebrates a tackle last season against LSU. Smith was the 17th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, taken there by the Dallas Cow boys. Linebacker Quentin Coryatt (44, right) brings down Texas receiver John ny Walker in Austin in 1990. Coryatt, who became known as one of the hard est hitters in the nation, was the second pick overall in the NFL draft and was taken by the Indianapolis Colts. Former A&M quarterback Bucky Richardson (below) rolls out for a pass against Texas in the Aggies 31-14 vic tory in 1991. Richardson was one of the all-time winningest quarterbacks in A&M history and was drafted by the Houston Oilers. In college football, legends come and legends go within four years. And once they are gone, legends must be replaced. At Texas A&M, legends like quarterback Bucky Richardson, linebacker Quentin Coryatt and cornerback Kevin Smith have gone on to sign with National Football League teams and have left the Aggies with big holes to fill. Enter Jeff Granger, Reggie Gra ham and Aaron Glenn. Granger, a sophomore from Orangefield, has the unenviable task of replacing one of the win ningest quarterbacks in A&M his tory. Richardson went undefeat ed as a starter last season until a loss to Florida State in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Not only did Richardson win, but he also captured the respect of his fans, opponents and team mates with his confident attitude on the field. Granger said he knew replac ing Richardson would be a tough task, and that making the position his own would take a little time. "Bucky Richardson was a proven leader and a proven win ner," Granger said. "When the chips were down, he always found ways to win. Because of that, the pressure will really mount on me, and it's going to be a tough load to carry. "But I feel like my accomplish ments in the past will help me get through this, and hopefully I'll be successful early in the season which will help increase my confi dence even more." f ro m out of Until last month,ill i| or jda State the Aggies would startM e ldon in tf with a completely ineM and the quarterback. Granger:® the Cottor ed in the spring no|t:lam said h the squad so he couloly reputatioi spot on the U.S. OlympMa&M line team. After beingailB e de him, a team. Granger spokeiM u gh job fil head coach R.C. SlooiA a lot of cided to return to Aggitif meet away After his return, taliM out.l'm te circulate about a possfeK ra ham sai championship sincetlM s tyle that': now had the experiencin' S/ and I back they once lacked. IL d 0 the jo Granger said that'rLg people : did not, however, g. a solid lineb; championship of aniBam said A&M. B A&M we "When people sa;*ted to do thing we were missing'‘p ls high scl perienced quarterbaci L as a |way tough on me when Ica;B ce j' V e bet Granger said. "I really*| a y linebat that much experience,arLd. "Whe the burden on a younps |jk e A&M back makes it tough, lye great li "But I like being ini you dre situations, and I liketoi«g U y S 0 ne < will react and play whole n l was sure is on." L a n 0 f tl Graham, a sophoms l ra phs, it League City, has oneoft |hen l wa est jobs on the team ins Lie me gl the number two pick in: lam today, draft, former A&M lb jfiti /a junior Coryatt. Ivarro, has Coryatt developed at; it surprise as one of the biggest hte in practice: nation last year, a title n to fill the punctuated with a hit hllro of A&l Texas Christian receiwck Kevir McPherson that broke Bme South son's jaw. He also eamsltion leade for his amazing speedwround by flllllilM 1992 Texas A&l Date Opponent Locatifl Aug.26 Stanford Anahe Sept. 5 LSU Baton f Sept 12 Tulsa Kylefi Sept 19 Missouri Coluffl Oct 3 Texas Tech Kylefi Oct. 17 Rice Kylef Oct. 24 Baylor Kylef Oct. 31 SMU Dallas Nov. 7 Louisville KyleB Nov. 12 Houston Housti Nov. 21 TCU Kylef Nov. 26 Texas Austifll Boldface indicates Southwest Conference game. 1