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TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman watches play during the fourth quarter of the Aggies' first game of the season in College Station. Texas. The Aggies are trying some position changes to improve their offense this season. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tannehill adapts to new role for Aggies
By Michael Sullivan Associated Press
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A single word can describe sophomore Ryan Tannehill's three years at Texas A&M thus far: adaptation. From adapting to a college workload, new football personnel and now a new position, he has taken every change as a learning process.
"I came here to play quarterback and I definitely didn't think I would be playing any wide receiver in my career here," Tannehill said. "I had a lot of fun [playing receiver], but I wished we could have won some more games. I had a lot of fun being out on the field."
Upon his arrival in Aggieland, Tannehill was redshirted during the 2007 season. When Dennis Franchione was replaced by current head coach Mike Sherman, Tannehill was moved from throwing passes as a quarterback to wide receiver.
"Ryan is a heck of an athlete," said junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson. "Ryan's definitely a good football player and he definitely helps
his team in a lot of different ways."
While making the adjustment from quarterback to receiver, Tannehill was also faced with handling the change in head coaches.
"Sherman came in and led us to trust him right away."Tannehill said. "There was no down time and he picked up right where he wanted to and has started sending us in the right direction. We all believe in him and everything he can do."
When the Aggies take the field Saturday against Utah State, Tannehill will be on the sideline relaying plays to Johnson. Announced to be the backup quarterback during Monday's new conference, Tannehill doesn't expect to see much playing time at wide receiver, but is ready to fulfill whatever role needed to make the team successful.
"Whatever I am called upon, whether that is snaps at receiver or quarterback, then I will do that," Tannehill said. "It is just whatever I need to do to help the team. Whether Jerrod goes down in the first game or stays healthy all season, that is part of football, and he is our quarterback right now, and I just have to be ready to back him up."
Own a little piece of history.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 18,2009