Transfer CB Josh DeBerry Shines On Big Stage In Aggies Win Over New Mexico
COLLEGE STATION -- Josh DeBerry considered his options after announcing his intent to transfer from Boston College for his final year of eligibility. He knew schools would covet a defensive back with years of starting experience both on the perimeter and at the nickel position.
But why Texas A&M? Why join a program entrenched in ample talent that led college football in pass coverage last season?
"I had a couple of connections here with my former offensive line coach and old head coach (offensive line coach Steve Addazio), so he told me a lot about Texas A&M. He gave me the real spiel about it," DeBerry said Monday. "The corners coach "BJA" (Bryant Gross-Armiento) was recruiting me at Wake Forest, so I knew him a little bit.
"Hearing about the 12th Man, about Kyle Field and how electric it is, and knowing how this defense had a lot of young guys, guys who are maturing and a lot of guys up front who are NFL ready-caliber guys, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play with such a great defense."
DeBerry couldn't pass up the chance to make his presence felt Saturday, either, recording a team-high 10 tackles, a pass breakup and an interception in the No. 23 Aggies' 52-10 win over New Mexico. The senior entered fall camp in a battle for the starting cornerback job opposite Tyreek Chappell.
He enters Week 2 as the newest starting member of an already proven secondary.
"[Josh] was very mature, the production he had on film, the way he played, we thought he was an excellent player," A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday. "We thought he could play nickel, play corner, play different places. He's very physical, a very good tackler. He was a guy we loved on film."
A&M's secondary made headlines under then-first-year defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin for its ability to blanket receivers and eliminate the passing attack against SEC opponents. Turnovers, however, were scarce. The Aggies only registered four interceptions and 42 pass breakups.
Versatility factored into DeBerry's playing time, who joined the program following the Aggies' annual Maroon and White Game in April, but so did attention to detail. Not in reading routes or breaking on balls but rather his willingness to tackle in space.
DeBerry, who registered 158 tackles during his four seasons with the Eagles, said his father instilled physicality in his game while growing up in Michigan, mentioning how defensive players must play with aggression. He also spent time at linebacker and safety during grade school, learning the proper skills on how to make form-fitting stops.
DeBerry also credited watching film on one of the NFL's best tackling defensive backs.
"I was a huge Darrelle Revis fan and he's known for being a physical corner," said DeBerry. "He's not the fastest or the biggest. He's 5-foot-11 and weighs a little more than me (180 pounds), but that's how I think of myself and how I try to play my game.
"He's going to have a mentality that he's going to be physical with you, he's going to tackle if he has to and he's going to cover the best guy."
© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
DeBerry allowed one catch against the Lobos and broke up a pass in the end zone intended for Dorian Lewis. His ball skills to center stage in the second quarter when New Mexico quarterback Dylan Hopkins scrambled to evade a sack on a third-and-17 and overthrew his target.
Waiting over the top was DeBerry to put the Aggies back in plus-territory for A&M sophomore Conner Weigman to cap off the first half with his fourth touchdown pass of the night.
"Something I've been thinking about since I entered the transfer portal was what would be my first big play wherever I end up," said DeBerry. "I was a couple off last year, but it was a great experience for me."
DeBerry said he planned a celebration for the moment, but it all went out the window once the opportunity arrived. There'll be other chances for him to unveil the hullabaloo hoopla in the future, including when the Aggies take on Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST.
That is, if he doesn't forget which choreographed number he has dialed up in the mental jukebox.
"When I'm out there, my mind goes in a lot of different places," said DeBerry. "Everything I planned really can go out the window and then it goes to whatever I'm feeling in the moment."
