Despite departures, A&M's defense hopes to maintain elite pass rush

Perhaps the most vital aspect of Texas A&M’s defense is ensuring the pass rush doesn’t become a past rush.

Last year, the Aggies had a potent pass rush. They recorded 39 sacks, which tied for 18th most in the nation.

However, 30 of those sacks were recorded by players no longer on the roster.

Defensive ends Tyree Johnson, DeMarvin Leal and Micheal Clemons combined for 24. Defensive tackle Jaden Peevy had two. All left for the NFL.

A&M’s returning leader in sacks is safety Demani Richardson. He had two. Tackle Shemar Turner was credited with 1.5.

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Clemons is already hunting QBs for the Jets in the NFL and registered a sack in his first preseason game last week.

Sacks don’t completely define the strength of a pass rush.

The idea is to negatively affect the quarterback. A strong pass rush often leads to more interceptions, which are even more valuable than sacks.

Still, a high sack total reflects a strong pass rush.

The question is can A&M mount more rush without Leal, Clemons and Johnson?

“We lost really good players. We all know that,” A&M defensive tackles coach Elijah Robinson said recently. “These (returning) guys that have been here … the great thing is they had a chance to be behind those guys that left. Those guys have been working. They watched the way Marv, Mike Clemons, Tyree and Jaden Peevy how they worked.

“Those guys are going to work their butts off to be good for us this year. We’ve got to continue to coach them up. They’ve got to continue to buy into that process.”

‘Those’ guys make up a ‘who’s who’ in defensive line recruiting.

A&M’s defensive line depth chart is a constellation of five- and four-star recruits.

Seven incoming freshmen defensive linemen/edge rushers were ranked among the nation’s top-100 prospects regardless of position.

Further, Turner and Tunmise Adeleye were five-star prospects in 2021. Defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and defensive end Fadil Diggs were high four-stars in 2020.

Diggs, in particular, has drawn high praise from coach Jimbo Fisher for the play and maturity he has shown in practice.

“I took a lot from those guys (Leal, Johnson, Clemons),” Diggs said. “One thing they taught me was ‘make sure you take notes, watch how we do it, and you follow.’ That’s definitely the next step for me.

“I just try to play my own game. Those guys did a lot. I’m just trying to be Fadil Diggs. I learned from those guys, and I can just do what I do best and play football.
”

Obviously, there is no shortage of players with the potential to mount a strong pass rush.

Earlier this summer, Fisher said he had “no doubt” A&M’s pass rush would remain nasty, though not necessarily because of ends.

“Pass rush can come from blitzes. It can come from interior guys,” Fisher said. "Pass rush, nowadays, interior guys are just as vital as outside guys. In the spring, they (interior rushers) did a real nice job.

“That’s always critical.”

A pass rush is often critical in producing interceptions.

Last season, Georgia, Alabama, Pittsburgh, Baylor, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Wake Forest and Cincinnati all had at least 39 sacks and at least 15 interceptions.

Seven of those teams posted at least 11 victories (Wisconsin was 9-4). Three — Georgia, Alabama and Cincinnati — were in the College Football Playoff. Baylor and Pitt won conference championships. Wake Forest played for a conference championship.

Notre Dame appeared in the Fiesta Bowl where the Irish lost to Big 12 runner-up Oklahoma State, which accumulated 56 sacks last season but had only nine interceptions.

Last season, A&M had just 10 interceptions along with its 39 sacks. Richardson is counting on another strong pass rush to help boost the interception total.

“It helps tremendously,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent in that (defensive line) room. I’m excited for those guys to go out there.”

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Fully healthy in 2022, McKinnley Jackson figures to be a force on the interior of Texas A&M’s defensive line this fall.

No college football program is more aware of the value of a strong pass rush than Texas A&M.

The Aggies’ success in the ‘80s and ‘90s was largely built on the devastating pass rush of the Wrecking Crew.

They were tied for 20th in the nation with 28 sacks in 2020. A&M finished 9-1 and ranked No. 4 in the nation.

A pass rush won’t guarantee success, of course.

A&M led the nation with 51 sacks in 2011, but frequent erratic offensive production in the second half resulted in a 7-6 finish.

That isn’t expected to be an issue in 2022. A&M appears to have many qualities of a strong team.

The offense with running back Devon Achane, receivers Ainias Smith and Evan Stewart, an improved line and upgraded quarterback play is projected to be explosive. The rushing defense — ranked 35th nationally a year ago — again figures to be formidable. The secondary could be A&M's best in more than a decade.

Another strong pass rush may give the Aggies all the elements of a championship-caliber team.