Aggies Defensive Depth Chart Projections: More Stability In 2023?
Bryce Anderson might have said it best when discussing the differences between last season's defensive woes to a more progressive spring for Texas A&M.
"There's no experience like college experience," said Anderson following Saturday's Maroon and White game. "There's no experience like being on the field in front of 100-plus thousand [fans]. Being young, being out there, and still playing at a high level should help us a lot."
Not that the Aggies were young, but inexperienced might be a better phrase. A&M lost longtime coordinator Mike Elko to Duke and hired former Maryland coach D.J. Durkin away from Ole Miss. And while several concepts remained the same, Durkin also implemented more zone coverage sets, taking away pressure up front from a pass-rushing standpoint.
The Aggies finished with the top-ranked pass defense despite a 5-7 finish. They also finished dead last among SEC programs defending the run, allowing opponents to average 209 yards per game and nearly 5.0 yards per carry.
A&M was aggressive with its historic 2022 recruiting class in adding defensive depth. A year older and wiser, perhaps the Aggies find common ground on both phases for substantial improvement.
Here's an updated projected look at the Aggies' depth chart heading into the summer.
DEFENSIVE END
First-team: Fadil Diggs, Shemar Stewart
Second-team: Enai White, LT Overton
Diggs came into his own by midseason, registering three sacks and three forced fumbles in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He should retain his job on the right side of the line. Stewart has all the tools one looks for in a pass rusher and showed flashes of his upside late in the year.
White, Overton and a handful of other ends should carve out rotational roles. They're young talents that are still developing into fully-formed playmakers. Last season, eight defenders saw reps at the position, so don't be shocked to see Fisher and Durkin consistently make switches depending on the down.
NOSE
First-team: McKinnley Jackson
Second-team: Isaiah Raikes, Albert Regis
Jackson elected to return for his senior season despite garnering NFL interest. His combination of size and speed should help him win one-on-one matchups and be effective against the run. Raikes is another big-body defender that has been effective as a run-stopper. Fisher said Regis was one of spring's most improved defensive linemen, so expect his rep count to expand entering the fall.
THREE-TECH
First-team: Shemar Turner
Second-team: Walter Nolen
Turner was one of A&M's top defensive players regardless of position in 2022. He registered 4.5 tackles for loss to go along with 17 quarterback hurries and 22 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. He also was named Defensive MVP of spring practice.
Nolen will likely be the No. 2 option on the depth chart, but there's a plethora of talent behind him. As the No. 2 prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle, the Tennessee native is going to get his reps, but Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Jadon Scarlett and David Hicks will factor in on the rotation.
LINEBACKER
First-team: Edgerrin Cooper, Chris Russell
Second-team: Martrell Harris Jr., Taurean York
Fisher said A&M would be active in the transfer portal during the summer months. Linebacker is one position the Aggies could address in terms of adding experienced talent. Cooper isn't in jeopardy of losing his job after totaling 61 tackles last season, and Russell led the team in stops with 68.
York, an early enrollee from Temple, caught the eye of Fisher during spring drills. He could be a situational player in certain downs but will likely begin his A&M career on special teams. Harris saw action off the edge last year as a pass rusher and could play a similar role in 2022. Expect this to be one area of need that's addressed before the start of fall camp.
NICKEL DEFENDER
First-team: Bryce Anderson
Second-team: Jared Kerr
Anderson won the spring's Defensive MVP and said he spent most of last season picking the brain of All-SEC defensive back Antonio Johnson. He mirrors a similar skillset to that of the all-purpose defender and should fill the void as the long-term nickel.
Kerr fits a similar mold to that of Anderson. Primarily a safety, the Aggies like their nickel defenders to be aggressive against the run while agile enough to cover tight ends and slot receivers. Kerr's build should give him an advantage when defending the run at the line of scrimmage.
CORNERBACK
First-team: Tony Grimes, Tyreek Chappell
Second-team: Deuce Harmon, Sam McCall
Grimes, a former ACC honorable mention at North Carolina, should immediately replace Jaylon Jones on the boundary. Last season for the Tar Heels, he started all 13 games and registered 36 tackles and seven pass breakups. Chappell has played in 21 games since arriving in 2021 and might be one of the more underappreciated defensive backs in the SEC.
Harmon has been a rotational defender for the past two years, though he's been inconsistent in the starting role. Perhaps another year under Durkin will benefit his production. McCall, a transfer from Florida State, could play either role thanks to his 6-1 frame and physicalness when defending the run.
SAFETY
First-team: Demani Richardson, Jardin Gilbert
Second-team: Bobby Taylor, Jared Kerr, Jacoby Matthews
Richardson is the heart and soul of A&M's defense. He's been a starter since arriving on campus in 2019 and has recorded at least 65 tackles per season when fully healthy. He could have gone pro but elected to stay after a sub .500 season. Gilbert will need to improve as a tackler, but he excelled in coverage, recording a team-high two interceptions.
Taylor, who was recruited as a cornerback, likely makes the jump to the back end permanently after missing last season due to an injury. Kerr and Anderson are interchangeable and could fill in at either spot should one of the starters miss time.
Matthews, who won special teams “most improved” player at the team’s annual banquet in December, was arrested earlier this month on charges of less than two ounces of marijuana possession. He was suspended indefinitely by the program prior to the spring game.
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