Five Aggies Receive Preseason All-SEC Honors

Ainias Smith headlines the list of Aggies to make the All-SEC team for the 2023 season.

It's a crucial year for Texas A&M following a woeful 5-7 record in 2022 and expectations to rebound are scorching. The good news? Talent won't be the reason the Aggies are held back.

Five A&M players were named to the All-SEC teams Friday following media days in Nashville, Tennessee. Receiver and special teams sensation Ainias Smith was named to the first-team unit as an all-purpose player and second team as a return specialist. Smith was also named to the third team unit as a receiver.

Defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, safety Demani Richardson and punter Nik Constantinou were named to the second team roster. Offensive lineman Layden Robinson rounded out the list as a third team addition.

Smith, who enters his fifth season with the program and is hell-bent on putting together a year of success after injury. The Sugar Land native played in four games before suffering a broken leg against Arkansas that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

When healthy, Smith has everything quarterbacks look for in a slot receiver. Through 2019-21, he's registered at least 22 receptions for 10.8 yards per catch and three touchdowns. Smith also has served as A&M's primary punt returner since 2020, totaling 551 total yards and a touchdown.

Jackson served as the season-long team captain in 2022, starting seven of the eight games while tallying 37 tackles, 7 for loss and a pair of sacks. Richardson was also named a team captain last season and recorded 73 total tackles and four pass deflections.

Constantinou enters his fourth season and should be primed for another exceptional year statistically. He was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team in 2022 after pinning 23 punts inside the 20, while averaging 41.7 yards per boot.

Robinson has been a staple at right guard since taking over the full-time role in 2021. The 6-4, 310-pounder helped clear the way for 1,000-yard rusher Devon Achane, including a 215-yard game in the upset win over No. 6 LSU. Robinson is one of two returning Aggie offensive linemen to have started each game a season ago.

Receivers Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III, along with defensive end Fadil Diggs, defensive tackle Shemar Turner and cornerback Tyreek Chappell, were all considered for one of the teams, but ultimately were not voted on by players.

The Aggies open the season at Kyle Field on Sept. 2 against New Mexico.

---

Subscribe to the Texas A&M Aggies Daily Blitz Podcast!

Follow AllAggies.com on Facebook and Twitter!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Aggies? Click Here to Subscribe to the All Aggies Newsletter

Want even more Texas A&M Aggies News? Check out the SI.com team page here