Want the truth? Ask Shemar Turner.
The powerful Texas A&M senior defensive lineman isn’t one for falsehoods.
That was apparent last week in Dallas.
Turner all but volunteered for a polygraph when asked about new teammate Nic Scourton.
“Oh, my Lord,” Turner started. “I ain’t going to lie. I love Nic. Nic’s a dog. Nic loves the sport of football.
“Playing with a defensive lineman that’s good is good and all, but to play with somebody that’s good and actually loves the sport of football and works off the field with all the extra work is amazing.”
The distinction between playing on a defense with “somebody who’s good” and “somebody who's good and works off the field” says a lot without saying much.
Turner didn’t say he was alluding to anyone in particular.
But could it have been a former teammate? Hello, Walter.
Anyway, when asked whether Scourton was his pass-rushing equal, Turner, who won’t lie, opted to take the political approach. He dodged the question like he was dodging blockers.
“Aaaahhhhh, let’s not do that,” Turner said with a laugh. “Nic’s different. Nic’s different.
“Everybody out there with me is crazy. I really do feel like we’re going to have one of the best D-lines in the country.”
He ain’t lying.
Last season, A&M’s defensive line was among the nation’s best. The Aggies were 14th in the nation in run defense and eighth in sacks with 42.
That doesn’t happen without a stellar defensive front.
It could be even better this season.
Of course, a big reason is the arrival of Scourton, who last season posted 10 sacks at Purdue to lead the Big Ten.
He’s highly regarded as a potential first-round draft choice.
Junior defensive end Shemar Stewart is expected to have a “breakout season.” As is sophomore defensive tackle DJ Hicks.
Turner has already broken out. Last year, he posted 33 tackles, six sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss at defensive end.
Look for the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Turner to produce even more this season. He has added 30 pounds of muscle and is moving inside to his more natural position.
“We felt like that was probably his best position moving forward to the next level (NFL),” A&M coach Mike Elko said. “I think that was a big piece in his decision to come back (for another collegiate season) was to be able to slide inside, to play defensive tackle to showcase his ability to do that for the NFL and to kind of enhance his ability to get into that league and get in there and maybe higher draft status.
“I think it's a natural progression for him. He's a big, physical kid. He's got tremendous athleticism. He's a plus pass rusher. He's a tremendous run-stopper. So I think he's going to have a phenomenal year for us this year.”
Putting Turner at his natural spot. Adding a pass-rushing beast in Scourton. The development of Stewart and Hicks. Also, the return of Albert Regis, Malick Sylla and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, along with transfer portal additions, figures to boost depth.
That projects to a stellar defensive front. And a stellar defensive front provides room for linebackers and helps the secondary in pass coverage.
Last year, the Aggies fielded a top 20 defense.
This year, with that defensive front leading the charge, it could be better.
That’s the truth.
