3rd year under Mike Elko, will the Aggies field a defense that is on par with Kentucky or Tennessee? Or can it be Auburn/Florida level good? And how long until they reach Alabama/Georgia level of dominance?

Starting to stack elite talent at all levels so I think it is very close to being top end of the SEC. The defense will be the strength of this team. Just need to find a true edge pass rusher and force some more turnovers this season.

https://quickwhits.home.blog/2020/09/11/2020-defensive-overview/

While we are stockpiling elite college talent, Bama and Lsu are getting elite NFL talent.

Scrong to quite scrong.

Sparkie said:

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While we are stockpiling elite college talent, Bama and Lsu are getting elite NFL talent.

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Comments like this strike a nerve with me. Our 2019 and 2020 defensive classes were elite level defensive prospects. Potential high NFL picks. At all positions.

Way to twist the OPs words into a negative.

We are moving towards elite level talents and a lot of high draft picks if we just keep up this type of recruiting. Now, 2021 is a little behind at this time, so we need to close out strong. You get guys like Shemar Turner and Tywone Malone and again, you have a lot of potential early round NFL guys for the 3rd year in a row.

"On par with TN or Ky". Umm... we played 5 top 10 teams last year. TN and KY don't play those levels of opponents. Plus, we play in the SEC West, which has better teams than the East top to bottom.

I'd say we already have a better defense than either of those teams this year. TN has LB issues (depth) and their DL is unproven. Their secondary is decent, but then again, they didn't play a ton of teams last year who threw the ball (KY didn't throw at all, Mizzou was without their starting QB, Vandy sucks, etc.). TN's "good pass defense" is really more who they played than actual excellent play.

this good

If they don't have a lot of injuries I think the defense could range from solid to very good. We need the offense to be better , especially in the running game if we want the defense to be statistically towards the top. Still maybe a little thin on the dB side until proven otherwise imo.

It will be the bestest evar!

beerad12man said:

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Sparkie said:

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While we are stockpiling elite college talent, Bama and Lsu are getting elite NFL talent.

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Comments like this strike a nerve with me. Our 2019 and 2020 defensive classes were elite level defensive prospects. Potential high NFL picks. At all positions.

Way to twist the OPs words into a negative.

We are moving towards elite level talents and a lot of high draft picks if we just keep up this type of recruiting. Now, 2021 is a little behind at this time, so we need to close out strong. You get guys like Shemar Turner and Tywone Malone and again, you have a lot of potential early round NFL guys for the 3rd year in a row.

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Shemar is going to Bama with 5 star D-linemen Adeleye and Damon Payne.

halfastros81 said:

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If they don't have a lot of injuries I think the defense could range from solid to very good. We need the offense to be better , especially in the running game if we want the defense to be statistically towards the top. Still maybe a little thin on the dB side until proven otherwise imo.

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I'll potentially give you a little young on the DBs, but with the last two recruiting cycles, we don't have more talented group.

I think the defense will be the strong point of our team which is nice because it has been special teams the last few years.

We should be good vs the run. It turns on how well we pressure and cover.

We have plenty of potentially great pass rushers. We have a little less potential at cb.

If everything goes right, we could have a great defense. We should at Least have a good defense.

Elko works with what he has and what he's facing. Jimbo uses ball control to help the defense. If we can force a few more turnovers it will make a huge deal. Defense needs to slow the other team's scoring and turn the ball over. We have more talent everywhere and that becomes easier with more.

Might not match up brute strength to brute strength or speed to speed with everyone. But the question gets answered against Mullen and Pruitt this year. We could with a stellar showing by Mond against the West be even up with Auburn and LSU is hard to predict. If the goal is a single close loss to 'Bama in order to make the semi, it's possible though hardly looks likely.

Jimbo believes what he's saying. So we have reason to be hopeful.

Sparkie said:

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While we are stockpiling elite college talent, Bama and Lsu are getting elite NFL talent.

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This. Unfortunately.

How good the defense is will depend upon two things:

Some new faces performing well in the secondary and if the line can hold their own.

beerad12man said:

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Sparkie said:

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While we are stockpiling elite college talent, Bama and Lsu are getting elite NFL talent.

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Comments like this strike a nerve with me. Our 2019 and 2020 defensive classes were elite level defensive prospects. Potential high NFL picks. At all positions.

Way to twist the OPs words into a negative.

We are moving towards elite level talents and a lot of high draft picks if we just keep up this type of recruiting. Now, 2021 is a little behind at this time, so we need to close out strong. You get guys like Shemar Turner and Tywone Malone and again, you have a lot of potential early round NFL guys for the 3rd year in a row.

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You're not wrong, but it doesn't change the reality that theyve been doing it for years, whereas we're still trying to get there.

samhoustonag said:

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How good the defense is will depend upon two things:

Some new faces performing well in the secondary and if the line can hold their own.

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Totally agree with this. Hopefully someone out of donnell Harris, fadill diggs, tyree Johnson, or Jeremiah Martin start to separate themselves at rush end. I have high hopes for Jaylon Jones and Erick young in the secondary this year

I know the freshman db's are highly touted. You never know until you see them play at this level tho which is why I said "until proven otherwise ". Iv'e seen a fair number of "can't miss" recruits that missed for one reason or another.

The talent, across the board, is every bit as good or better than any WC defense we have fielded.

samhoustonag said:

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How good the defense is will depend upon two things:

Some new faces performing well in the secondary and if the line can hold their own.

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very true. I think that they will be outstanding but statistics drive the perception of the average fan...and sooooo much of that depends on how effective the O is and competition. Competition will be among the best so I do not see any top 10 D rankings. However, if we can get just consistent average play from the QB to help support the D then we have a real chance to go 9&1.

They better be real good because our offense lines up no experience at receiver and running back, we had a big setback at tight end, and our QB is as consistent as the Texas weather.

2billfighter said:

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The talent, across the board, is every bit as good or better than any WC defense we have fielded.

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I will have to respectfully, and strongly, disagree.