Taking Their Pick: A&M stockpiling secondary talent to pile up interceptions
The commitments of cornerbacks Deuce Harmon, Tyreek Chappell and Dreyden Norwood are cause for special celebration for Texas A&M.
Indeed, Aggies should break into their version of Mardi Gras anytime A&M lands a fast, athletic defensive back who can help increase A&M’s interceptions totals.
Interceptions are vital. That’s no secret. Coaches constantly stress the importance of creating turnovers. That includes fumbles, but interceptions come more frequently and can dramatically change momentum. Interceptions frequently either set up a team in scoring position or thwart an opponent’s scoring threat.
Don’t take it from me, though. Take it from Kevin Smith — Texas A&M’s all-time record holder for interceptions with 20, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
“It’s important anytime you can create turnovers and give the offense more possessions, especially with a coach like Jimbo Fisher who wants to have more possessions than opponents,” Smith said. “Not only that you get field position. A lot of interceptions I had were in the plus-zone. Teams were about to score. You intercept the ball and create another possession for your offense. That’s a double whammy.”
Last season, A&M notched 10 interceptions. The Aggies scored on six of the ensuing possessions. Two interceptions denied opponents: Demani Richardson intercepted an Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pass in the end zone, and Roney Elam intercepted a pass by Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence at the A&M 9-yard line.
The Aggies will need more of that to become an elite team. Last season, 24 FBS teams accumulated 14 or more interceptions. Of those 24, 15 posted double-digit win totals, and 20 had winning seasons.
There are many more examples.
In 2002, Notre Dame’s anemic offense was ranked 91st in the nation in total offense and in scoring. However, the Fighting Irish were among the national leaders with 21 interceptions. They finished with a 10-3 record.
The same goes for Miami in 2017. The Hurricanes were mediocre offensively but swiped 17 passes en route to a 10-3 campaign.
Of course, Aggies are well aware that interceptions can compensate for inadequacies, offensively or defensively.
A&M’s 2013 defense was historically generous to opponents. However, it was also opportunistic. The Aggies nabbed 17 interceptions that year and won every game in which they picked off a pass. By the same token, A&M lost all four games in which it didn’t manage an interception.
The Aggies finished 9-4 because of a spectacular offense that featured Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans and Jake Matthews. Yet, a strong argument could be made that A&M doesn’t beat Arkansas without a pick-six by Deshazor Everett. Likewise, they probably don’t defeat Duke without Tony Hurd’s fourth-quarter pick-six.
In fact, in the last 30 years, A&M has posted 12 seasons with at least nine wins. The Aggies posted double-digits interceptions totals in 11 of those seasons.
The Aggies were 9-4 in 2018 despite managing only seven interceptions. Many of those interceptions were critical, though.
Donovan Wilson’s interception clinched a 24-17 victory over Arkansas. Charles Oliver’s end zone interception denied South Carolina a scoring opportunity in a tightly contested 26-23 A&M win. Tyrel Dodson’s 78-yard pick-six changed the momentum in a 52-13 Gator Bowl victory over North Carolina State.
In the years prior to Fisher’s arrival, A&M put an emphasis on recruiting size at cornerback to match up with big, physical SEC receivers.
“At some point, we thought in the SEC that we have to get bigger on the edge be able to cover 6-4 LSU receivers,” Smith said. “(Former A&M All-American) Aaron Glenn wasn’t the biggest guy and played 15 years in the NFL. Ray Mickens wasn’t a big guy and played 14 years. I played 10 years.”
In the four classes before Fisher’s arrival, A&M landed six four-star rated defensive backs — three were safeties: Derrick Tucker, Justin Dunning and Larry Pryor.
Under Fisher and defensive coordinator Mike Elko, the Aggies appear to be putting an emphasis on athleticism.
Thus, A&M’s four recruiting classes under Fisher (including the current 2021 commitments) have had seven cornerbacks rated as a four-star prospect or better. Many scouts agree that Chappell is criminally underrated as a three-star.
Faster, more athletic cornerbacks and safeties will soon result in more interceptions, especially if A&M also upgrades its pass rush.
Smith is confident a spike in interceptions is coming for A&M.
“I wanted to be an offensive player on defense,” Smith said. “My philosophy was I needed to touch the ball once or twice, get it, return it and make something happen. Derrick Frazier and Aaron Glenn were like that.
“This is the third year the defensive staff has been there. They’re bringing in more talented guys on the corner. I think turnovers will start coming more often.”
