Aggies expect D-line to crank it up notch
Sixth in a position-by-position series looking at the 2022 Texas A&M Aggies after spring workouts.
Today: Defensive line
Who’s back: Isaiah Raikes, junior; Mckinnley Jackson, junior; Adarious Jones, junior; Shemar Turner, sophomore; Fadil Diggs, sophomore; Donell Harris, sophomore; Braedon Mowry, sophomore; Tunmise Adeleye, redshirt freshman; Jahzion Harris, redshirt freshman; Albert Regis, redshirt freshman; Elijah Jeudy, redshirt freshman; Marcus Burris, redshirt freshman.
Who’s gone: Demarvin Leal, Micheal Clemons, Jayden Peevy, Tyree Johnson, Dallas Walker IV, R.J. Orebo, Jordan Jefferson.
2022 signees: Anthony Lucas, Gabriel Brownlowdindy, Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart, Lebbeus Overton, Enai White, Malick Sylla, Jadon Scarlett, Micaiah Overton.
What to expect: Defensive line has long been a strength at A&M — even before coach Jimbo Fisher arrived from Florida State, thanks to defensive line coach Terry Price, a member of A&M’S “Wrecking Crew” defenses in the 1980s.
It’s only ramped up with Fisher’s arrival nearly five years ago and his addition of
fellow defensive line coach Elijah Robinson. Price and Robinson combine to form one of the nation’s top recruiting duos on defense, evidenced by A&M signing a whopping four five-star defensive linemen in the class of 2022 alone.
Now, experience in the rugged SEC West is another thing. The Aggies lost all four starters from a solid defensive line in 2021, including former Judson star Demarvin Leal and Micheal Clemons to the NFL draft, en route to a disappointing
8-4 finish.
The Aggies’ projected depth chart is brimming with underclassmen, but based on the assembled talent the players’ inexperience should not be a convenient excuse in 2022.
While Price and Robinson return, there’s also a new leader running the defense. Former Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin is Fisher’s second defensive coordinator at A&M, replacing new Duke head coach Mike Elko.
The front four’s tasks should change little from Elko to Durkin, however, and those are chasing quarterbacks while slowing the run. The Aggies ranked 36th nationally last year against the run and likely need to improve that number at least a bit if they’re to compete for the program’s first conference title this century.
Fisher vows, too, he can keep all those five-star prospects on the line content with plenty of playing time for (most) all, via wholesale rotations with the idea of keeping that deep lineup fresh throughout four quarters.
Projected depth chart
Defensive end
1. Shemar Stewart
2. Fadil Diggs
Defensive tackle
1. Walter Nolen
2. Isaiah Raikes
Defensive tackle
1. Shemar Turner
2. Mckinnley Jackson
Defensive end
1. Anthony Lucas
2. Tunmise Adeleye