Breaking Down Texas A&M Position Groups: Defensive Backs
Part one of a multi-part series where we preview each position group for the 2021 season. By: The Hammer
With fall camp well underway, the long wait is nearly over. The season is so close. All off season we talk, debate, rank, and carry on about what's to come. Now it’s here. Talking season is over. What you do on the field is what matters now. It’s the most wonderful time of year.
The Aggies have high expectations for 2021. We all know what happened in 2020, and with the number of players returning, coupled with a preseason number 6 ranking, it’s no surprise the goals are lofty. The expectations should be high. Texas A&M is built to win right now. We have the facilities, donor resources, fan support, and pay our coach, who won a national title in his previous stop, 7.5 million dollars per year. Every ingredient needed to have a top college football program is in College Station right now. I’m confident in this team, and you should be too.
Now let’s take a deeper look at this personnel and make up of the squad. Who are the guys that will be making plays on Saturdays? Does the talent level match the expectations? We’ll go position group by position group and dive into strengths and weaknesses of each. The Aggies have a ton of good players, so this should be fun.
Leon O’Neal, Jaylon Jones, Aaron Hansford and Keldrick Carper celebrate a big play in the Orange Bowl. Via @wakeemup9 on Instagram.
Part I: DEFENSIVE BACKS
It makes sense to start this series out by digging into the defense because the Aggies had the number one overall defense in the SEC last year. The defensive unit brought it every week (except Alabama) and was the strength of the team. Overall, they return 9 of 11 starters, and every single defensive back starter. Special shoutout to Myles Jones coming back for his 5th, “super senior” season.
At the free safety position, Demani Richardson is a potential all conference player. He started as soon as he got to campus and has been a consistent player the whole time. A sure tackler and hard hitter. Richardson is solid in coverage and should have an excellent understanding of the defensive system in year three. If healthy, I believe Demani will be on an All-SEC team at season's end.
In the strong safety spot, Leon O’Neal brings tenacity. The rogue. Renegade. Trash talker. Vocal leader. O’Neal wears many hats, but his most important hat is that of a great player. I know Leon has had his issues and taken his lumps, but I expect a solid senior year from him. Borderline All-SEC player with NFL draft pick written all over him. O’Neal was pretty good in coverage last year and was always around the ball. He hits hard and flies around with reckless abandon, making plays. Another long time starter with experience and massive chip on his shoulder. Look for Leon to be a problem for opposing offenses all year.
On the outside, Myles Jones and Jaylon Jones might be the best tandem in the SEC. Hard to put them ahead of Stingley and Ricks in Baton Rouge, but I don’t think this tandem is that far behind. The Jones brothers (they are not related) played well last year. Broken coverage was rare, both had interceptions and were solid in run support. Long, rangey corners with great cover skills and I expect these guys to be in lock mode down all year.
Demani Richardson, Myles Jones, Demarvin Leal and Micheal Clemons on the cover of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football preview magazine for 2021.
Aside from the starting group, the depth is phenomenal. Everyone is back with the exception of Devin Morris, who is back at his alma mater as a coach. Get used to hearing names like Keldrick Carper (another super senior), Antonio Johnson, Erick Young, Brian Williams, and Brian George. Those guys will all see the field, especially if any starter goes down with injury. Plus in Elko’s 4-2-5 system, there is almost always a nickel on the field. I expect Carper, Johnson, Young and Williams to all see some time at the nickel spot, depending on the situation. And I’m confident in each and everyone one of them.
This defensive back unit has everything needed to be one of the best in the country. Experience, talent, depth - it’s all there. I expect the Aggies to be able to go toe to toe with the Alabama receivers this year, and every other receiver unit they face. That doesn’t mean they won’t be beat, of course. In modern college football, every team gives up big plays through the air. It’s all about limiting those big plays, and not blowing coverage that allows easy, uncontested throws for chunk plays. Know your assignment, stay on your guy and if the receiver and quarterback make a great play, so be it. That happens, but make them earn those big plays.
The ceiling is high for this unit and I’m so pumped to see them play. I really believe they will be great and be a catalyst for the Aggies to have a special season.
In part II of the series, we will take a look at the linebackers. Stay tuned.
#BTHOKENTSTATE
