Texas A&M Spring Football: Aggies Projected 2023 Defensive Depth Chart
At a first glance of last season, the Texas A&M Aggies offense was easy to pick apart.
A lack of performance by third-year quarterback Haynes King led to quarterback turmoil for Texas A&M, which eventually landed on freshman Connor Weigman, who may very well end up with the starting gig next season.
But despite the offensive struggles, it was also the defense that underperformed.
The Aggies welcomed a new defensive coordinator last season in DJ Durkin, who was given the task of continuing the dominance that the defense found during Mike Elko's latter two seasons, which was almost resemblant of the notorious "Wrecking Crew" from 1991.
Unfortunately for Texas A&M, that was not exactly the case. But after a year riddled with injuries, suspensions and even inexperienced play by young players, the Aggies defense is looking up, and these are the guys who can help make that happen in 2023:
DEFENSIVE LINE
A large part of the reason that A&M expected nothing short of continuing to roll over opponents' offenses was the historic recruiting class it brought in.
Headlining that class was consensus No. 1 defensive lineman Walter Nolen, along with Shemar Stewart, L.T. Overton and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy.
Those four showed flashes of their anticipated potential, though more work needs to be done before they can truly become a force in the SEC, making a likely starting lineup for the defensive line being Diggs on the edge, with Jackson, Stewart and either Nolen or Turner rounding out the front four.
The backup list is solid as well, however consisting of Overton, Brownlow-Dindy and Isaiah Raikes.
LINEBACKERS
The middle position group was among the groups that took a hit, losing veteran Andre White Jr. to the transfer portal, where he will reunite with former teammates Chase Lane and King on the yellow jackets.
In his place, the Aggies managed to land Taurean York — their highest linebacker recruit in the team's 2023 class. With his age, however, comes inexperience, which is something that Durkin will likely focus on should he want to see York on the field in significant minutes.
Given that situation, the likely starters for the Aggies will be veterans Chris Russell Jr. and Edgerrin Cooper, with sophomore Bryce Anderson in as a flex for the defense at the nickel position.
This would make York, along with Martrell Harris Jr., the backups to start next season.
CORNERBACKS
Arguably the worst aspect of Texas A&M's defense last season, recording a conference low four interceptions on the season, was the secondary.
The bright spot for Aggie cornerbacks was found in sophomore Tyreek Chappell, who finished sixth in total tackles on the year and even notched a fumble recovery.
The story of the next year's Aggie cornerback squad came back in December when Texas A&M landed senior transfer Tony Grimes from North Carolina.
Grimes where racked up 97 tackles and 20 pass breakups across his three years — proving to be one of the best in the ACC at his position.
Grimes and Chappell will likely be the starting cornerbacks for the Aggie secondary, while sophomore transfer Sam McCall and incoming freshmen Bravion Rodgers and Jayvon Thomas in as backups.
SAFETIES
To round out the defense in the back will be the Aggie safeties, headlined by the return of fifth-year Demani Richardson, who forewent the NFL draft to make his return to Aggieland for one more season.
Richardson, Texas A&M's top tackler last season, will be joined by Jardin Gilbert, a rising junior who has already made his presence felt.
Gilbert was responsible for two of the Aggies' four interceptions last season, and while the two veterans will most likely be taking most of the defensive minutes, an offseason target will be to develop the two younger safeties in hopes of improving the secondary from top to bottom.
Fans can expect Richardson and Gilbert to start for the Aggies, with their backups being sophomore Jacoby Mathews and freshman Bobby Taylor.
Overall, Texas A&M's defense will look a bit different at the start of next season. Though some of the names, especially on the defensive line, will be similar, another year under former national champion Jimbo Fisher and company is likely to do good for the young players as the Aggies look to make another run at the CFP next season.
Full projected starting defensive lineup:
DL: Fadill Diggs, McKinnley Jackson, Shemar Stewart, Walter Nolen
LB: Chris Russell Jr., Edgerrin Cooper
CB: Tyreek Chappell, Tony Grimes
S: Demani Richardson, Jardin Gilbert
NB: Bryce Anderson
Full list of defensive backups:
DL: L.T. Overton, Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Isaiah Raikes
LB: Taurean York, Martrell Harris Jr.
CB: Sam McCall, Bravion Rodgers, Jayvon Thomas
S: Jacoby Mathews, Bobby Taylor
NB: Jarred Kerr
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