Run defense the spring focus for Terry Price's defensive line

Pass rushing statistics reveal how overpowering Texas A&M’s defensive ends can be.

Last season Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall combined for 19 sacks. Any team anywhere would celebrate that kind of production.

Now, imagine what kind of numbers A&M’s defensive ends could have produced if opponents were forced to pass more frequently or faced longer third down situations.

Unfortunately, A&M struggled to stop the run. The Aggies were ranked 108th in the nation in run defense.

So, to put more pressure on opposing passers the Aggies must clamp down on opposing runners.

Defensive ends coach Terry Price is well aware of that. Therefore, he’s been putting extra emphasis on run defense during spring drills.

“I thought they all competed and got after it (last season), but the bottom line is it’s not about competing and effort, it’s about production — and we weren’t very good as a defense in the run game,” Price said on Tuesday night. “That’s something we’ve taken pride in. We’ve made a strong, strong emphasis across the board with our defense to make sure we’re better against the run. I don’t think there is any question that we’ve improved this spring in that aspect across the board.

“Every position has to get better. My guys have to get better. We all have to get better in run defense. We can. To me that’s where we can make a big jump. We will get better. I don’t think there is any question we’ll see that in the fall.”

Aggie fans certainly hope so, because then they will also see Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall swooping in on quarterbacks more often.

Garrett and Hall are getting even better, a thought that should make quarterbacks tremble.

“I feel like I’m progressing good,” Hall said. “I’m learning more and more. I’m getting older, becoming a veteran. It’s going smooth right now.

“I’m working on my hand fit, being a better student of the game and knowing what everybody else is doing on the field, working with my hands and getting better every day.”

Price said Garrett is becoming a smarter, more vocal and stronger.

“He’s a little stronger at the point of attack,” Price said. "He needs to continue to learn the game, identify backfield sets and know what’s coming at you. He continues to become a smarter football player and that’s going to help him make plays on Saturdays.”

Price said Hall will, too.

“He still hasn’t got to where he needs to be strength-wise because he’s only had one offseason,” said Price, noting that Hall had shoulder injuries in previous offseasons. “From year one to where he is now he’s come light years and I’m excited about that. He’s a great young man. I love being around him everyday. He has goals, he has things he wants to achieve and he’s going to work his tail off every day to make sure he accomplishes that. He’s a worker.”

Price said he’s also seeing hard work paying off for Qualen Cunningham, Jarrett Johnson and especially sophomore James Lockhart.

“He’s really improved his game,” Price said of Lockhart. “He is a high motor guy. He’s going to play hard every single snap. He’s made a nice move.”