Who Is Starting For The Aggies Against New Mexico?

Here's what to expect when the Aggies take the field Saturday night against the Lobos.

COLLEGE STATION -- A hopeful new era of Texas A&M football begins Saturday night at Kyle Field when the Aggies exit the south end zone tunnel. 

What will the starting lineup look like for the No. 23 Aggies when they take on New Mexico? 

While no depth chart was released by the A&M's staff, sophomore 

Conner Weigman will start at quarterback after sixth-year coach Jimbo Fisher named him QB1 Monday during his press conference. Redshirt sophomore Max Johnson, who battled Weigman throughout the offseason, is expected to be the No. 2 option. 

Receiver will feature various pass-catchers seeing action with the first-teamer, but expect senior Ainias Smith, sophomore Evan Stewart and junior Moose Muhammad to see extensive reps. Smith returns for a fifth season after missing most of the 2022 campaign with a leg injury. He is currently on a 27-game streak with at least one catch. 

Stewart led A&M with 649 receiving yards. Muhammad, the son of All-Pro receiver Mushin Muhammad, finished with a team-high four receiving touchdowns. Sophomore Noah Thomas and freshman Raymond Cottrell will rotate in after stellar spring practices.  

Senior Max Wright returns for a sixth season at tight end, with sophomore Jake Johnson mixing in on 12-personnel sets. The Aggies lost projected starter Donovan Green after suffering a torn ACL during a scrimmage last month.

After dealing with injuries throughout spring practice, the offensive line is expected to go as follows: Trey Zuhn at left tackle, Kam Dewberry at left guard, Bryce Foster at center, Layden Robinson at right guard and Chase Bisontis at right tackle. Bisontis, a four-star recruit from Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey, worked both tackle spots in spring practice with injuries to Zuhn and Reuben Fatheree. 

Fisher said on Monday that Bistonis and Zuhn were expected to start at the tackle spots, while Fatheree worked his way back from injury. The junior was working out with the second-team offense at the start of fall camp.

The defensive line will rotate between a cast of former top-ranked recruits. The headliners include senior defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, junior defensive end Fadil Diggs and junior defensive lineman Shemar Turner. 

Sophomore Walter Nolen, junior Isaiah Raikes, sophomore LT Overton and others should see expanded reps throughout the evening. 

Chris Russell and Edgerrin Cooper return at linebacker after finishing third and fourth in tackles, respectively. Cooper led the Aggies in tackles for losses with eight stops. Russell finished second in sacks with 2.5 takedowns. 

Bryce Anderson and Deuce Harmon are expected to start in place of the departed Antonio Johnson and Jaylon Jones. Anderson was named spring Defensive MVP during the Maroon and White Game after working primarily in the nickel. 

Transfers Tony Grimes (North Carolina), Josh DeBerry (Boston College) and Sam McCall (Florida State) are all expected to see reps with the first-team defense. Junior Tyreek Chappell will start for a second year at cornerback, while senior Demani Richardson and junior Jardin Gilbert return at safety. 

Kickoff against the Lobos is scheduled for 6 p.m.