Breaking Down Texas A&M Position Groups: Linebackers
Part II of a multi-part series where we preview each position group for the 2021 season. By: The Hammer
Aaron Hansford gettin after KJ Costello in 2020. Photo via @aarontherealmvp on instagram.
Part II: LINEBACKERS
Linebackers are often the heartbeat of a defense. Think of Gerry Bertier in Remember the Titans. Bertier was the leader of that vaunted Titan defense and set the tone. I realize it’s not 1971 and that’s a movie (a damn good movie I should say) but you get the point. Linebackers are absolutely vital to a good defense.
Mike Elko runs a base 4-2-5 defensive scheme, meaning the A&M defense has four defensive lineman, two linebackers, and five defensive backs on the field under normal circumstances. Obviously personnel groupings can differ depending on the situation. With the Aggies only having two linebackers on the field typically, playing time is at a premium. But with Buddy Johnson heading off to the NFL, there is an opening.
Aaron Hansford returns for his super senior season, bringing a ton of experience to the group. My bet is Andre White Jr fills Buddy’s spot. White played very well last season in relief of Hansford who missed a couple games. He just looks like an SEC linebacker. Big, physical, fast, and gets sideline to sideline. He hits damn hard too. Buddy’s leadership and experience will be undoubtedly missed, but I think White has the potential to be a very good SEC linebacker himself, so I’m not very worried.
As far as Hansford is concerned, that dude is solid as a rock. He just does everything well. Watch the tape and find me a play that Hansford screws up. There aren’t many. Fine in coverage, solid against the run, and fantastic on the blitz rushing the passer and making plays in the backfield. I don’t worry at all when Hansford is out there. I trust him to be in the right spot and make tackles. As solid and consistent as they come in the SEC.
Andre White Jr with a monster sack of LSU QB Max Johnson in 2020. Photo via Sam Craft, AP Photo.
Behind those two, assuming White wins the starting role, is a solid group. Antonio Doyle, a sophomore and former top 100 national recruit, and Edgerrin Cooper, another former 4 star, could challenge White for the starting role and will likely be the third/fourth in the linebacker rotation. Junior linebacker Chris Russell will also be in the rotation. I feel very good about this group with the way Jimbo has been recruiting. Depth is key here given how easy it is to get dinged up as a linebacker. For several years in the Sumlin era, linebacker play and depth was an issue. No longer. We have great depth and should have solid linebacker play in 2021.
I know this defense doesn't want to be called the Wrecking Crew because they want their own identity. I get that, but we’ll have to think of something to call them because these linebackers, and the entire defense, should be able to live up to the Wrecking Crew mantra. Dat Nguyen no longer runs around Kyle Field, but I bet he enjoys watching this defense.
In part III of this series, we will look at the big fellas. Defensive line. Stay tuned.
#BTHOKENTSTATE
