Aggies LB Taurean York is Ready to Lead the Texas A&M Defense in 2024

As he prepares for 2024, Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York knows he'll take on more of a leadership role after the departure of other players either to the transfer portal or to try their luck in the NFL Draft in April.

Texas A&M sophomore linebacker Taurean York saw a number of personal honors after his freshman campaign.

Along with being named Dave Campbell's Texas Football Freshan Defensive Player of the Year, the Temple, Texas, native also earned 2023 ESPN Freshman All-America honors, was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, and was a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist.

Sep 16, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks quarterback Jiya Wright (18)

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As he prepares for 2024, he knows he'll take on more of a leadership role after the departure of other players either to the transfer portal or to try their luck in the NFL Draft in April.

"I feel like it's my defense," York said at Aggies media availability on Wednesday. "I feel like the guys are very receptive to the way I lead and how I call the plays for sure and I feel like whenever things are in the thick of the season and in the thick of spring ball right now and going through the team exercises I feel like they all look to me for the calls and I wouldn't want it any other way."

York and his defensive teammates have a new coordinator this season along with a new head Mike Elko, as Jay Bateman takes over the role that Elko held for four seasons under former head coach Jimbo Fisher.

York likes what he's seen from Bateman thus far.

"I feel like it's a different kind of coaching style but it's a good coaching style," York said. "I feel like coach Bateman is very thorough and intricate with the details that he presents to us in the meeting room. The defense is great. It's different, a lot more detailed and I feel like it'll help us out a lot."

The Aggies will look to impress in Elko's first year at the helm, even as the SEC expands to 16 teams with the addition of Oklahoma and A&M's old SWC and Big 12 rival, Texas.