4 days ago
'It gives us confidence': New Texas A&M DL discusses facing Aggie O-line in practice
Texas A&M's 2025 defensive line now features Iowa State transfer Tyler Onyedim, who, after four years with the Cyclones, is back home as the Richmond, Texas native is looking to have his best season yet alongside junior DJ Hicks and senior Albert Regis. For the Aggies' defense to take the next step, the run defense needs to improve compared to last season, aside from the secondary allowing fewer explosive plays.
However, thanks to coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman making the necessary adjustments, the 2024 run defense finished 42nd nationally, allowing just over 130 yards on the ground per game. Still, early struggles led to the opening season loss to Notre Dame, but were combined with a lack of interior pass rush, which could drastically improve with Onyedim now in the lineup.
Even better, every member of the 2025 defensive line has been facing A&M's veteran offensive line throughout the preseason, which Onyedim praised after the Aggies' 11th practice on Tuesday afternoon, stating that facing the vaunted O-line has only made the defensive line better and more prepared for what's to come this season.
"Obviously, like, they're gonna get you, but you're gonna get them, and that gives me confidence,' Onyedim stated. "Not just me, but for everybody, everybody on the D-line, it give us confidence that we can really do this and impact the game."
During his final season at Iowa State, Pro Football Focus graded Onyedim out as one of the better run defenders in the country (70.3), while his 59.2 pass rush grade was average; this mainly had to do with the system he played in as a 3-3-5 defensive end going against two offensive linemen on nearly every down.
For the first time in his college career, Onyedim will be put in a position to thrive one-on-one inside, and if the interior pressure increases, the outside pass rush will be able to submerge the pocket. On paper, Texas A&M's defensive line rotation will likely feature Hick and Regis as the starters, followed by Onyedim and redshirt freshman Dealyn Evans as the No. 3 and 4 options.
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