Texas A&M DE Tyree Johnson named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week

From role player to SEC standout.

Texas A&M defensive end Tyree Johnson was named the Southeastern Conference's Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week following his performance in the Aggies' upset of Alabama on Saturday night.

In the storybook win over the Tide, Johnson sacked Alabama quarterback Bryce Young twice and was credited with four total tackles.

The Aggie pass rush came up huge in a big-time game against a big-time opponent, recording four sacks on the night. Prior to this week, the most sacks allowed by the Crimson Tide in a single game was three. Joining Johnson in getting to the passer were fellow defensive lineman Micheal Clemons and safety Leon O'Neal Jr.

Johnson has played a much larger role within Mike Elko's defense this season after becoming a "third-down specialist" last year. The senior from Washington D.C. has proven that he can impact the game on any down. When teams attempt to take away DeMarvin Leal, Johnson can make them pay.

Both of his sacks came on the same drive in the second quarter with the Aggies leading 17-7. His first dropped Young for a loss of two. Four plays later, Johnson was in the backfield again, taking down Young for a seven-yard loss on third down and forcing the Tide to punt.

Postgame, Johnson admitted he was overly prepared to face the Tide, having watched a lot of film leading up to the game.

"I was just going out there with a game plan I had worked on, the pass rush moves that I worked on all week, and then just execute them," Johnson said.

It’s safe to say that preparation paid off, and now Johnson has an award to prove it.