The 'science' of interceptions & Texas A&M's quest to create more picks

Luck is often the reason for scientific breakthroughs.

Indeed, luck was a factor in the scientific discoveries of gravity, penicillin and even Viagra.

Such is it with the science of football interceptions, where Texas A&M managed only four interceptions in 2022. The Aggies are hoping for — ahem — an upward projection.

More interceptions means more opportunities to score. That means more victories.

Since joining the SEC in 2012, A&M has returned 13 interceptions for touchdowns. The Aggies won every game in which they returned a pick for a score. Six of those games were decided by 13 points or less.

The need to increase interceptions is obvious. Figuring out how to increase the total is more difficult.

To that end, A&M should consult former All-American Kevin Smith, the Isaac Newton of A&M cornerbacks. Like an apple falling from a tree, gravitational forces guided errant footballs to his hands a school record 20 times.

“Sometimes it’s luck,” Smith said in a telephone conversation earlier this week. “But if you’re chasing the ball and you have tipped passes…”

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A 1997 inductee into Texas A&M’s Hall of Fame, Smith was an All-American in 1992.

He did not need to finish the sentence. His message was sent. An active defensive back can make his own luck.

Smith intercepted nine passes in 1989 — more than double A&M’s team total in 2022. That wasn’t just luck. He had also played receiver at West Orange-Stark High School. He brought an offensive attitude to A&M’s defense.

“I had a receiver mentality,” Smith said. “I wasn’t returning punts early in my career, but I had to get my hands on the ball. Star players have the mentality that they want to touch the ball. If you want to touch it, you’ve got to be close enough to be around it.”

A&M’s defensive backs need to develop a similar mentality.

Smith could tell them how. He’d visualize picks. He’d watch videos of opponents for tendencies. He’d figure out how much time a quarterback should have to throw.

“I really trusted that the ball would be out in three seconds,” Smith said. “In my mind, if you force them to throw the ball in three seconds, I’ll beat the receiver to where the ball was supposed to be.”

That was Smith’s science.

His luck was playing with pass rushes that featured William Thomas, Aaron Wallace, John Roper, Marcus Buckley, Mark Wheeler and Sam Adams — some of the greatest quarterback tormentors in A&M history.

“Show me four guys can’t rush the passer, and I’ll show you four guys that can’t cover,” Smith said, citing a line from comedian Dennis Miller, also a Monday Night Football commentator in the early 2000s.

Alas, A&M managed only 19 sacks in 2022, its lowest total since 2008. The Aggies finished 4-8 that year.

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A rising junior, Jardin Gilbert accounted for half of the Aggies’ picks in 2022, including a second-quarter INT at Alabama

Of course, last year’s defensive line was peppered with freshmen like Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart, Enai White, LT Overton and Malick Sylla.

As they grow, the sack totals should, too.

“Nolen and those guys … they found out that SEC third-year linemen are a little stronger and more savvy than any high school All-Americans they went against,” Smith said. “Now that they have a full offseason under their belt and a full spring, they should be 10 times better and chomping at the bit.”

A&M defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin confirmed the Aggies' defensive linemen have improved.

“Experience helps. You get a better feel of how to attack a guy … the game within the game,” he said. “You take guys with great ability and talent. Our job as coaches is to teach them technique and fundamentals and get them comfortable with it.  You can see those changes already.”

Changes in the pass rush lead will lead to more pressure, which will lead to more interceptions which, should lead to more touchdowns, which should lead to more victories.

It’s action and reaction. You know, science.