A position-by-position projection for Texas A&M's 2023 defense

In the last two football seasons, the Georgia Bulldogs reminded everyone that the old adage “defense wins championships” still applies.

In the upcoming season, Texas A&M aims to improve on a defense that in many ways appeared to be of championship caliber.

Last season, the Aggies led the nation in pass defense and ranked a very respectable 25th in scoring defense.

Alas, A&M was soft against the run, could not mount a consistent pass rush and did not force many turnovers.

The Aggies must remain formidable in the areas in which they excelled and make dramatic improvements in the areas in which they struggled.

Fortunately, added experience, continued growth and an influx of new talent provide realistic potential for immediate improvement.

Defensive line

Projected Starters: DE Fadil Diggs or Shemar Turner; DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Walter Nolen, DE Shemar Stewart

Outlook: The fact that neither Diggs, Turner or Stewart is a guaranteed starter illustrates how absurdly talented A&M is upfront. That doesn’t even include Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, LT Overton, Isaiah Raikes, David Hicks, Malick Sylla, Enai White and Albert Regis.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Last year, Texas A&M ranked first in the SEC in forced fumbles (15).

Seven of the defensive linemen listed are second- or first-year players. A year of growth and experience figures to transform occasional flashes of brilliance in 2022 into consistent high-level production. 

Their anticipated development should result in significant improvement in run defense and the pass rush.

Diggs and Jackson both missed all or most of five games. They only played two games together. Their health also should result in better output in those areas.

Preseason Projection: Though nothing can be taken for granted, A&M’s defensive line should be one of the best — if not the best — defensive fronts in the SEC. The combination of talent and depth is undeniable. The defensive line should be elite. It will be a major disappointment if the level of play is not.

Linebackers

Projected Starters: Edgerrin Cooper, Chris Russell

Outlook: Linebacker play was poor last season. No use denying it. A&M was ranked 123rd in the nation in run defense last season. Linebacker play wasn’t the only reason for such a dubious ranking, but it was a major factor.

Russell and Cooper had some outstanding efforts. Russell was spectacular in a victory over Arkansas. Cooper had seven tackles and forced a momentum-changing fumble in a victory over LSU. Too often, they were out of position and struggled to get off blocks and fill running lanes.

To be fair, both were in their first year as full-time starters. Before last season, they had combined for just one start. They were also playing for new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin and behind a largely inexperienced defensive line.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Ranking 123rd in the nation, A&M gave up an average of 209 rushing yards per game.

Having gained valuable experience, they figure to be better. If not, they likely will be passed in the depth chart by Jackson State transfer Jurriente “JD” Davis, sophomore Martrell Harris and incoming freshmen Daymion Sanford and Taurean York.

Preseason Projection: As mentioned, Russell and Cooper should be more effective in their second season as starters. The arrival of Davis, who was a junior college All-American in the spring of 2021, will help. Linebacker play will be better against the run, but the bar is obviously low. Expect modest improvement.

Secondary

Projected Starters: CB Tyreek Chappell, CB Tony Grimes, NB Bryce Anderson, S Jardin Gilbert, S Demani Richardson

Outlook: On the surface, the early entries of nickelback Antonio Johnson and cornerback Jaylon Jones into the NFL Draft would appear to leave gaping holes in the secondary.

That’s not the case. Bryce Anderson played extremely well in a backup role to Johnson. The drop-off there will be minimal.

The arrival of North Carolina transfer Tony Grimes eases the loss of Jones. Grimes is a good tackler who broke up 19 passes and intercepted another in three years as a starter for the Tar Heels.

Tyreek Chappell will be a third-year starter at corner. Demani Richardson will be a fifth-year starter at safety. Meanwhile, Gilbert turned promise to production in his first season as a starter last year. He posted 61 tackles, two interceptions and broke up four passes.

A&M could use another corner, but the overall depth in the secondary is solid. Sophomores Jarred Kerr and Jacoby Mathews played well in limited roles last season. The addition of Florida State transfer Sam McCall, a highly-regarded recruit in 2022, has the ability to play either safety or cornerback.

Preseason Projection: Yes, the porous run defense was a contributing factor in A&M's success in limiting pass yardage, but secondary play was sound. A&M held opponents to just 56.3 percent passing completions despite having a weak pass rush.

No significant decline in the secondary is expected. Indeed, the secondary should be just as good. The secondary could be even better, especially if it can produce more interceptions. Last year, A&M had just four.