The 2018 Aggie defense saw them statistically jump over 40 spots in total defense rankings (from 78th to 32nd) and exactly 40 spots in scoring defense (from 87th to 47th) giving up almost a touchdown less per game. An integral part of this improvement was due to the fact that Jimbo Fisher’s offense was third in the nation in time of possession, so the defense was simply not asked to defend as many plays in comparison to past years. The two big aspects I want to see improve in 2019 are the passing defense and forcing turnovers. The Aggies had the 98th ranked passing defense last year and were 109th in the nation in turnover margin with seven more turnovers lost than the Aggies were able to force.
Defensive Line
In my opinion, the defensive line is the most loaded position group for either side of the ball entering 2019. I think the top end talent is there with preseason first-team All-SEC selection Justin Madubuike, but there is also great depth with guys like sophomore Bobby Brown and junior Jayden Peevy. I think Madubuike can improve on his stellar 2018 campaign in which he had 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. If you add in his three sacks that he had negated due to facemask penalties, then his stat line would have been on par with Quinnen Williams, who was the third overall pick in the NFL draft this past season. Add in Bobby Brown and Jayden Peevy (who both would start for almost all 14 SEC teams) and the interior defensive line should be just as stout as last year.
On the outside, Michael Clemons will be looking to replace an NFL draft pick in Kingsely Keke. He certainly meets the eye test measuring in at 6 foot 5 inches and 275 pounds, but he has a little more explosiveness to him than Keke, who was called to play outside last year due to injuries and lack of depth. I think Clemons will actually provide more of a pass rush while still being tough against the run. The other defensive end position is a little more wide open, as it appears redshirt sophomore Tyree Johnson will get the first crack at replacing Landis Durham. While he is not as big as Durham was last year, his 240 pounds and 6-foot 4-inch frame has a little more bend and a quicker burst off the line. If he can get more of a speed rush generated, then that should help Mike Elko pressure the quarterback with just the front four. He will have to hold off sophomore Jeremiah Martin, who is built from the same mold, a fast and explosive defensive end that specializes in pass rushing. The depth at all positions is pretty great as well as there are multiple four-stars that have been in the system for at least a year or longer with guys like Max Wright, Tyree Wilson, and Josh Rogers all being very capable of providing the starters with rest.
X-Factor: I hesitate to say it because of his injury history, but it would go a long way if Michael Clemons is able to stay healthy and live up to the hype he has received. He could help make this year’s defensive line better than last years, which is a tall task.
Name to Remember: Demarvin Leal is one of the other highly rated five stars from the 2019 recruiting class. He is listed as a strong side defensive end but at 290 pounds already, he has the size and athleticism to line up anywhere along the defensive front. Look for him to make a pretty big impact in his first season in the SEC.
Linebackers
The linebackers pose the biggest concern for me on the entire roster. The talent is there at the top with Buddy Johnson (who has really filled out and has the look of an NFL linebacker) and Anthony Hines (former five star that had college offers from every big-time program). My consternation comes from that fact that while these guys are talented, they are inexperienced and are not proven playmakers. Buddy Johnson has played a lot of football over the last two years and even started a few games last season (against Auburn and the bowl game) when Otaro Alaka was hurt. Hines missed most of 2018 when he suffered a season-ending leg injury against Clemson in week two. He showed some flashes of why he was a five star recruit his freshman year, so it will be about getting him back up to speed. The depth will not be as thin as last year but is still not ideal for an SEC West contender. Ikenna Okeke and Aaron Hansford, both guys that were not recruited as linebackers, are learning the position. Pushing them for playing time will be early enrollee Andre White and walk-on linebackers, Keeath Magee II and Braden White. The two walk-ons have pretty significant playing experience as there was no other options last year when we needed to give the starters a break. While talented, this group is lacking in experience that might cost them in crunch time. Linebacker coach Bradley Dale Peveto will have his hands full instructing this group, but the best thing they have working for them is that they will have one of the best defensive fronts on the SEC working in front of them. This should allow for the linebackers to learn early as they are just tasked with cleaning up whatever the front four cannot handle and filling the gaps appropriately.
X-Factor: If Anthony Hines can live up to his high potential, he can wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Look for him to utilize his speed and size to provide a pass rush on third and long scenarios when it is obviously a passing situation.
Name to Remember: True freshman Chris Russell has the size and speed (6 foot 2 inches, 220 pounds, 4.5 in the 40) to make some plays. Look for him to start out on special teams, but maybe even play some meaningful snaps towards the end of the year.
Defensive Backs
The weakest aspect for the Aggies last year will welcome an infusion of young talent to challenge the returning players. While the Aggies return lots of experience in the defensive backfield, it might not be a positive thing as they were one of the worst pass defenses in college football last year (98th in passing yards allowed and 13.5 yards per completion). This will allow some of the highly rated defensive backs that were recruited in the 2019 class to challenge for immediate playing time. Cornerback Myles Jones started to play decent to end the year and Debione Renfro has been the most consistent corner on campus the past three years. I think they will battle it out for one of the corner spots because the other spot will be locked down by #1 junior college corner Elijah Blades. Another five star in the 2019 class was corner Erick Young. He has the size of a safety, but his ball skills and coverage ability might just force him on the field at the rover position (similar to a nickel corner) because he can play in the box to stop the run but also stick with any receiver or tight end on the field.
At safety, the Aggies will be looking for some dynamic playmakers. It looks like they might have found one with sophomore Leon O’Neal. He started in the bowl game and looked great. Now it will be about replicating that over a full season. The other spot will be up for grabs among Keldrick Carper, Derrick Tucker, and Larry Pryor. They all have significant playing experience but haven’t shown enough over the last few years to really make anyone feel good with them back there. Derrick Tucker showed great promise his freshman year in 2017 but looked lost on the field last year and missed several tackles at the worst times it seemed. If he doesn’t get back on track quickly, then one of the talented true freshman will be eager to make their presence known. Both Brian Williams and Demani Richardson have the talent and acumen to start for this defense but it is never a good idea to have a freshman as the last line of defense, especially against the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, and Jake Fromm. Count me in the skeptical category for this group, but the talent will definitely be upgraded in comparison to last year. After all, it can’t get much worse.
X-Factor: If Elijah Blades can decidedly take over one of the corner spots and provide decent pass coverage on one side of the field, that can make a world of difference for the Aggie defense in 2019. This will allow all the other defensive backs to battle it out for one more corner spot, hopefully allowing talent to win out and make for a vastly improved secondary this season.
Name to Remember: Demani Richardson will be a force to be reckoned with in College Station during his career here and I think it starts this season. I think he has the speed and coverage skills to start by the Auburn game opposite Leon O’Neal. The aspect that will make him a true playmaker on the back end though will be his ball-hawking mentality. Whether he is turning a contested catch into an interception or coming up to deliver a big blow and force a fumble, I think he has the potential to make an impact this season.
Quick Whits 