Ad Disclosure
The Texas A&M defense did not play well last season, allowing 450.8 yards (14th) and 28.1 points per game (11th).
Even so, the Aggies have some standouts returning both on the defensive line and in the secondary. That leaves the linebacker unit as a key to improvement in 2015. Otaro Alaka, A.J. Hilliard, Josh Walker and Shaan Washington combined to make 127 tackles last season with Washington (64) the only one in the group who had more than 33.
Junior-college transfer Claude George and freshman Richard Moore both also were listed as second-stringers on the post-spring depth chart, but in a group that has struggled with injuries at times in the last few years, depth is certainly a concern for John Chavis, who enters his first season as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
One major factor is the return of Hilliard, who was off to a solid start in last year’s season opener at South Carolina with three tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry before breaking his ankle and missing the rest of the season.
Hilliard, Washington, Alaka and Walker each missed time in the spring dealing with injuries of varying degrees, which is why the additions of George and Moore could be so important. George was a two-star recruit who committed to Memphis out of high school but landed at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas where he excelled for the Blue Dragons and became the No. 3 JUCO linebacker recruit in the nation according to 247Sports.
Nicknamed the Sledgehammer, George had 51 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, last year. Right now he’s battling Moore for playing time, but it’s possible both newcomers could see the field plenty in 2015.
Moore was something of a recruiting coup for the Aggies. The four-star prospect originally committed to the Texas Longhorns before switching to A&M. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds Moore might be a bit undersized for the college game at this early age, but he’s shown good instincts and a nose for the ball.
Washington, Alaka and Walker look like they will earn starting spots, but the Aggies defense likely will only excel if Hilliard, George and Moore can make contributions and the depth that has been lacking at the linebacker spot for a couple of years now.
The team allowed 271.5 rushing yards on 6.0 yards per carry during SEC play last season. In the SEC West, which features backs like Leonard Fournette, Derrick Henry and Alex Collins, those numbers better improve fast if Texas A&M wants to compete.
That responsibility rests in large part with the linebackers. The group needs to play more physical and tackle better. It helps that the Aggies figure to get improved play from the defensive line. But if more than one of those four continue to struggle with injuries, Texas A&M’s depth could be tested.
Shane Mettlen is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Texas A&M, Missouri and Alabama.
