'Sky's the limit' for A&M's defense with front four leading the way

Look upward. Peer past the clouds. Do you see it?

There, basked in blue, is the extent of possibilities for Texas A&M’s defense.

As Aggie defensive end Nic Scourton put it more succinctly:

“I think the sky’s the limit. Those guys (teammates) are going to make their plays,” he said. “I’m going to make my plays. I just think we’re going to help each other make more plays.

“We have a lot of good guys on the defensive line and on the defense. If we just keep working and getting better, I think we can be very special this year.”

The vast potential of A&M’s defensive front is well-known. Scourton, an All-Big Ten selection who led the conference in sacks, is a big addition via the transfer portal. So is Cashius Howell, who last year led the MAC in sacks.

They join Shemar Turner, an All-SEC selection, and Shemar Stewart, who has made dramatic physical gains over the offseason. A breakout year is anticipated from him.

“This guy looks like a million dollars,” A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman said of Stewart. “I told one of the NFL guys that was here in the offseason that if you gave me and you two hours in a lab to build a defensive end, they would come out looking like Shemar Stewart.

“He’s really improved. I think you’re going to see a problem. If I’m an offensive coordinator, I’ve got to know where that guy is.”

The A&M defense could/should cause a lot of problems.

Except, as skeptics would point out, all the aforementioned players are defensive linemen.

Four players do not make a strong defensive unit. Linebackers and defensive backs cannot be incompetent.

Fortunately, A&M’s back seven projects to be much more than merely competent.

Linebacker Taurean York figures to contend for All-SEC recognition. Safety Bryce Anderson does, too. The transfer additions of cornerbacks Will Lee III, Dezz Ricks and BJ Mayes are expected to bolster the secondary. So does the the growth of sophomore safety Dalton Brooks and the return of corner Tyreek Chappell, a likely four-year starter.

But great defenses start up front. The most legendary defenses of the NFL featured dominant lines which produced ferocious pass rushes.

Pittsburgh had the Joe Greene-led “Steel Curtain.” Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen led the Los Angeles Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome.” The Minnesota Vikings’ “Purple People Eaters” featured Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller.

A&M’s front might not attain its own nickname, but it could lead the way in bringing back the “Wrecking Crew” moniker.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Cashius Howell earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2023 after leading the league with 9.5 sacks, which was tied for No. 16 in the country.

Those great A&M defenses of the ‘80s and ‘90s were well known for devastating pass rushes.

“I think there’s a lot of really good players,” Bateman said of the defensive line. “I think we’re going to be able to be really fresh and attacking. I think it’s going to be a huge plus to our defense.”

Bateman may be a huge plus, too.

A&M had a strong defensive line last year, too. Indeed, the Aggies posted 42 sacks to rank eighth in the nation. They were also 14th nationally against the run.

Still, they didn’t seem to reach their full potential. They often seemed to be held back like a thoroughbred guided by a bumbling jockey.

Too often A&M opted to rush merely three. Defensive ends dropped back into coverage matchups that just did not make sense. Spies frequently weren’t utilized to run down quarterbacks that were trying to escape pressure.

Bateman and Elko figure to be more aggressive.

“Bateman lets us go, man,” Scourton said. “He asks us what we want to do. D-line coaches (Sean Spencer and Tony Jerod-Eddie) are very smart guys. They have good stunts and games. We have an input on the defense.”

Scourton has set a goal to earn All-American acclaim. Stewart is aiming for 15 sacks, an ambitious total that even Myles Garrett didn’t reach. In fact, the last Aggie to reach 15 was Von Miller, who had 16.5 in 2009.

Scourton won’t doubt Stewart, though.

“If he thinks he can get 15 sacks I believe him,” Scourton said. “Right now me and both of the Shemars have a little bet on who can get to the ball first.”

An even better pass rush than last season could lead to an even better defense than last year. That likely would lead to much better results than last year’s 7-6 finish.

A stingy defense clinches wins without a high-scoring offense. For example, last season Iowa posted 10 victories despite having the second-lowest scoring offense in the nation.

A&M’s offense is much better. If Aggies can again average more than 30 points, and field a stronger defense, a 10-win season isn’t unattainable.

With that front four leading the way, A&M’s fortunes could be looking up.