Breaking Down Texas A&M Position Groups: Defensive Line
Part III of a multi-part series where we preview each position group for the 2021 season. By: The Hammer
Photo via Craig Bisacre, Texas A&M Athletics
Despite all the high praise for the other defensive units in this series (read Part I and Part II here), I think the defensive line will be the most dominant group of them all. A&M returns some absolute DOGS on the defensive line this year. Jimbo has recruited the defensive line positions like crazy and it’s paying off. We are talented, deep and experienced. I feel like a broken record saying that about the defense.
Nonetheless, it’s a lethal combination for one of the most impactful units on the field. Dominant defensive lines change games. Alabama has been winning games with dominant defensive lines the entire Saban era. Show me a team that has won a national title that didn’t have a dominant defensive line in the last decade. Spoiler, you can’t. It is vital to high level success, especially in the SEC where games are won and lost in the trenches.
Bobby Brown is the only departure from a year ago. While Brown was really good, the Aggies have the pieces to replace his production. Super Seniors Jayden Peevy and Micheal Clemons opted to return to school, and as Clemons put it, they came back to win a national championship. If Clemons can stay healthy, I expect a monster year. The man is built like a transformer and looks like an NFL pro bowler when he steps off the bus. His tenure in Maroon and White has been riddled with injuries, but he produces when on the field. Prior to getting injured against Arkansas last year, Clemons was right at the top of the SEC in sacks with 4 through 5 games. Again, if he can remain on the field, he could easily rack up double digits sacks in 2021.
Photo: Craig Bisacre, Texas A&M Athletics
Opposite of Clemons, Demarvin Leal is a potential top 10 NFL draft pick in 2022. He’s a beast. Can play both inside at defensive tackle or on the edge at defensive end. He plays the run extremely well and can get after the quarterback. One of the best all around defensive lineman Texas A&M has had in recent memory, and we have had some good ones. He just refuses to be blocked. Leal will be a problem all year.
At defensive tackle, the aforementioned Jayden Peevy will be incredibly solid. Peevy brings so much experience and grit to this unit. He’s been there and done that for years. Not the most talented guy on the line but one of the most important. Steady, consistent and a leader of men. Opposite of Peevy is supposed to be McKinnley Jackson. Jackson was recently arrested but has been back practicing with the team in camp. He will likely be suspended for a few games but if he is back at practice it can’t be that serious. Jackson earned All SEC Freshman honors in 2020, so the kid can play ball. He should be a real problem on the interior for any team A&M lines up against.
Now I mentioned having great depth earlier, but let's really break it down. First and foremost, Tyree Johnson at defensive end is probably the best pass rusher in the country who is not starting. Johnson is a 5th year senior who has started 15 games in his career and earned All SEC Freshman honors in 2018. He is quite a bit smaller than Leal and Clemons and rushes the passer with a speedier, twitchier style. But he gets it done. If he is my team’s third best pass rusher, I feel damn good about my defensive line as a whole.
Photo via @tyguwwop on instagram
Harris, Braedon Mowry, Elijah Jeudy, and Marcus Burris are all former top 300 recruits according to 247Sports. We are loaded and will have no trouble rotating guys in and out to stay fresh, something A&M struggled with in the Sumlin era. That list didnt even include defensive tackles Isaiah Raikes and Albert Regis, who weren’t top 300 recruits, but should factor into the rotation come fall.
If you can’t tell, I’m jacked up about this defensive line and defense as a whole. I really think the Aggie defensive line will wreak havoc on offensive backfields all season long. This group is nasty, talented, and full of total bad asses. A big reason I am so high on the secondary, apart from the reasons mentioned in Part I, is because the pressure this line will put on opposing quarterbacks. QBs under pressure make mistakes and are inaccurate, allowing the secondary to make big plays. Complimentary football at its finest. When you play A&M this fall, your offensive line better be ready for an all out war because these guys are going to bring it every snap. WE AIN’T DONE YET.
In part IV of this series, we will look at the skill positions. Wide receivers and tight ends. Stay tuned.
#BTHOKENTSTATE
