Talks of Taurean York preparing for an extraordinary freshman season emanated from the Bright-Slocum Center all summer long and stoked the imaginations of hopeful Aggies everywhere.
If his performance in Week 4 is any indication, York won’t have any trouble fulfilling those aspirations.
York — a once-overlooked prospect out of Temple High School turned emerging star in the Texas A&M defense — was tapped Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for his exceptional play in a 27-10 win over Auburn.
He headlined a stifling defensive effort with a team-high 11 tackles (five solo), half a sack and two tackles-for-loss.
Sure, York turned heads all throughout Fall Camp and the offseason. But not too long ago, he was only rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 166 linebacker in Texas.
Forget the trivial rankings and classifications.
One thing they couldn’t quantify was his character and maturity.
And now he’s tied for 13th in tackles (22 total) in the SEC — as a true freshman, mind you — and second on the team in stops only behind four-year veteran Edgerrin Cooper.
His 22 tackles also leads ALL Power 5 true freshmen linebackers. Talk about making an early splash.
“He’s only going to get better and better and better in what he does and the reads he makes and alignments and assignments,” head coach Jimbo Fisher praised of York. “The kid is a heck of a player and a very mature kid, and that’s what allows him to do it.
“Very happy for him. That’s the way he practices every day. The way he comes to work every day.”
His defensive prowess against Auburn shouldn’t come as a surprise. York led the Aggies in tackles (7) in Week 2 at Miami and will only continue to stuff the stat sheet for D.J. Durkin.
The best part about all this? He’s only getting started.
This might be the first time he’s honored by the SEC, but if York keeps playing like this, don’t expect this to be his last.
