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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 linebacker unit in the Top 10 nationally
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 linebacker unit in the Top 10 nationally One of the strengths of Texas A&M's 2025 roster is finally being recognized this offseason, and credit to Pro Football Focus for being one of the first outlets to rank the entire Aggie linebacker corps as one of the top ten units nationally. Coming in at No. 6 in PFF's Top 10 college linebacker units, Texas A&M came in at No. 6 as Notre Dame (No. 5), Georgia (No. 4), Notre Dame (No. 3), LSU (No. 2) and Texas at No. 1 are the only teams considered "better" overall. After previewing the unit last month, I have been very high on the group since the start of the offseason, knowing that junior Taurean York and senior Scooby Williams will be leading the way. Still, the depth is even intriguing with junior Daymon Sanford, Tristan Jernigan, and Jordan Lockhart all bringing their strengths to the middle of the defense. According to the author, PFF analyst Max Chadwick has Taurean York as his second-ranked linebacker in all of college football, noting that his nation-leading 59 run-defense stops, combined with his improvement in coverage, make him a top 2026 NFL Draft prospect with enormous potential. While Chadwick did not mention Jernigan or Lockhart, who will likely receive the least snaps between York, Williams, and Sanford, he did point out freshman LB Noah Mickhail, whose role in 2025 is unknown, but his skill is undeniable. "Scooby Williams is back for his redshirt senior campaign after starting next to York last season. His 82.0 run-defense grade was 11th among SEC linebackers. Daymion Sanford also returns and was fourth among SEC linebackers with a 64.1 passer rating allowed in coverage. Noah Mickhail also enters College Station as the No. 9 linebacker recruit from the 2025 cycle." Having two elite run-stoppers with York and Williams, combined with Sanford's elevated pass coverage, provides coach Mike Elko and his defensive staff plenty of leeway to get Mickhail on the field early in the season to test his readiness. Texas A&M's defense, outside of some depth issues at defensive tackle, is on track to be one of the top defenses in the SEC. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Is Texas A&M's linebacker depth chart a strength in 2025?
Is Texas A&M's linebacker depth chart a strength in 2025? Texas A&M's 2025 football roster isn't lacking talent, and, more importantly, depth at nearly every position, but after last season's 1-4 finish, it took the national media time to warm up to the fact that coach Mike Elko's second season could be one of the program's best given the roster's veteran presence, especially on defense. This offseason, Elko added 14 players from the transfer portal, including six defenders at edge (3) defensive line (1), and cornerback (2), but did add another linebacker to a corps that could use another veteran but should be a strength in 2025. Why should Aggie fans feel good about Texas A&M's linebacker rotation? Junior Taurean York and senior Scooby Williams are as good as it get atop the depth chart. However, in the SEC, speed, vision, and the ability to stop the run and cover the middle of the field are highly important, and outside of York and Williams, who thrive in those areas, the players behind both starters are key to providing adequate depth late in games. So, who are those players filling out the depth chart? Here is Texas A&M's up-to-date linebacker depth chart heading into fall camp. MLB 1: (middle linebacker) Junior Taurean York 2024 stats: 82 tackles, 35 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception Taurean York is the cream of the crop at linebacker, and after showing stark improvement in coverage during the latter half of the 2024 season, the junior is set for his best season yet before likely departing for the 2025 NFL draft. MLB 2: Sophomore Jordan Lockhart 2024 stats: 11 tackles, four solo tackles Jordan Lockhart showed off his physical skillset in limited play time last season and should see more time at middle linebacker in third-down situations due to his speed and athleticism in coverage. MLB 3: Sophomore Tristan Jernigan 2024 stats: 11 tackles, four solo tackles In three games last season, Jernigan matched Lockhart with 11 tackles, including five against McNeese, showing, and like his 2024 recruiting class counterpart, Jernigan's size and vision should yield him more playing time in 2025. WLB 1: (weakside linebacker) Senior Scooby Williams 2024 stats: 43 tackles, 23 solo tackles, one interception Scooby Williams was by far the most improved player after transferring from Florida last offseason, quickly ascending the depth chart, earning a 70 defensive grade, and an impressive 82-run defense mark per Pro Football Focus. While Williams could play either linebacker spot, his size in coverage against tight ends will be crucial next season. WLB 2: Junior Daymion Sanford 2024 stats: 33 tackles, 24 solo tackles, one sack One of the more intriguing players on the roster, Daymion Sanford enters the 2025 season as a highly important rotational linebacker who could be a valuable weapon in the pass rush due to his elite closing speed, which was seen in several games last season, including his impressive sack against Missouri, and career-high seven tackles against Mississippi State. Freshmen Noah Mikhail and Kelvion Riggins are the two final names on the depth chart, and after a solid performance this spring, especially during the Maroon & White spring game, Mikhail is a young player to watch barring any in-season injuries atop the depth chart. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 players to watch during the 2025 Maroon & White Spring game
5 players to watch during the 2025 Maroon & White Spring game On Saturday, Texas A&M fans will get their first look at the 2025 Aggie Football team when they take the field in the Annual Maroon & White game at Kyle Field. The buzz around Texas A&M athletics is electric, with spring sports shining and the basketball program securing solid recruits under new head coach Bucky McMillan. Still, as always in Texas, football remains the centerpiece of attention. Though the offseason has been relatively quiet, the headline of Micah Hudson joining the Aggies briefly, and then leaving within four months, has caught plenty of attention. This spring, all eyes are on two key football events: the 10-day transfer window and the highly anticipated spring football game. Unlike last year, Coach Mike Elko has a roster he's confident in, making significant transfer portal activity unlikely unless an elite player emerges. As a result, the spring game becomes the prime showcase for fans and analysts to assess the team's progress compared to last year. Spring game team captains Taurean York and Trey Zuhn have drafted their squads for the matchup, setting the stage for an exciting showdown. Below are the five players for Aggie fans to watch during the spring game. Cashius Howell Howell started to emerge as a key defensive player as the season progressed and is poised for a breakout 2025 season. He is so highly regarded among his teammates that Taurean York chose him as No. 1 overall for his team in the Maroon & White game. Howell joined the Aggies after transferring from Bowling Green, where she was a Third team All- Mac selection. Classification: Senior Position: Defensive Line 2024 Stats: 40 tackles / 8.5 TFLs / 4 sacks / 1 interception Terry Bussey Bussey came into the 2024 season with high hopes from the Texas A&M fanbase, but coach Mike Elko rightly tempered expectations early. There was a lot of discussion about what position he would play and how much playing time he would get. It turned out to be a tame freshman season, where he did show flashes of his athletic ability, but didn't get as many touches as expected. However, coach Elko confirmed that he will now be a full-time wide receiver, allowing him to focus on one position full time in the off-season Classification: Sophomore Position: Wide Receiver 2024 Stats: 16 rushes / 102 yards / 2 touchdowns / 17 receptions / 216 yards / 0 touchdowns Tristan Jernigan Jernigan saw a lot of action last season, but mainly on special teams. He is projected to be a key depth piece in the linebacker room and on the special teams. He has a good frame to put on more weight and was named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year in the annual team award show. Classification: Sophomore Position: Linebacker 2024 Stats: 11 tackles / 0.5 TFLs Dezz Ricks Ricks was a highly touted player coming out of high school, where he was ranked as the No. 17 player on the ESPN 300 and the No. 2 cornerback. He ultimately signed with Alabama, where he spent a season before hitting the portal and joining Texas A&M. With a few injuries at the defensive back position, Ricks was thrust into a starting role where he had his share of success and struggles. With another season in the system and a few staffing additions the coaches are hoping he can take the next step. Classification: Sophomore Position: Defensive Back 2024 Stats: 20 tackles / 1 TFLs / 1 interception KC Concepcion Concepcion was the top player out of the transfer portal for Texas A&M. The wide receiver position has plenty of questions, and Concepcion brings some stability to the room while the rest of the depth chart below him works itself out. He is a dynamic playmaker who will open up the running game when teams start stacking the box. Classification: Junior Position: Wide Receiver 2024 Stats: 53 receptions / 460 yards / 6 touchdowns /19 rushes / 36 yards / 2 touchdowns Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
USA Today
01-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF names Texas A&M junior LB one of the top returning linebackers for the 2025 season
PFF names Texas A&M junior LB one of the top returning linebackers for the 2025 season Once the 2025 offseason began, Texas A&M's positions of need did not include linebackers, mainly because returning senior Scooby Williams and junior Taurean York led the way with enough depth behind them. While William's rise from his up-and-down play at Florida to his turnaround season with the Aggies became quite the storyline, Taurean York's elevated play last season was a sign of what's to come. A Jimbo Fisher recruit, York was a three-star prospect who originally intended to follow current Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko to Duke during his two seasons in North Carolina. Still, he made the right choice after surprisingly earning the starting middle linebacker job during his 2023 freshman season, amassing 74 tackles and three sacks and earning plenty of national praise. After entering last season with even added pressure to elevate his play, York struggled out of the gate but quickly made a significant impact in run and pass defense, leading the team with 82 tackles, 2.2 sacks, one interception and four pass deflections. On Monday, Pro Football Focus writer Max Chadwick released his Top 10 college linebacker rankings, and to no surprise, York came it at No. 2 behind former Texas A&M commit and current Texas Longhorns star Anthony Hill. "Like Anthony Hill Jr., York has been a starter in each of his first two college seasons. But unlike Hill, he was just a three-star recruit coming out of high school." "York has proven those rankings wrong thus far, leading all returning Power Four linebackers with 59 run-defense stops since 2023. His 122 plays with first contact on ball carriers are tied for fourth among that group. York has a stocky build at 6-foot and 235 pounds, and he is an excellent tackler." Taurean York finished the 2024 season with a 70 overall defensive grade, a 71.0 run defense grade, and a 77.9 pass rush grade per Pro Football Focus. York's run defense can always improve, while his coverage skillset is based more on positioning, which led to his game-sealing interception vs. LSU las October. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
