Projecting the 2021 starting lineup - Defense
Who ya got starting on September 4th at Kyle Field?By: The Hammer
Following up on our post earlier this week, where we projected the offensive starters for the upcoming season, its time to look at the defense. Last year was a hell of a season for Mike Elko and the unit. The new version of the Wrecking Crew finished with the top-ranked defense in the SEC in terms of yardage allowed, at just over 317 per game. Against an all SEC schedule in a league with potent offenses, that is damn good.
Photo: Michael Miller, The Eagle
No denying this defense was stout at every level last year and could flat play ball. Good news is nine of the eleven starters from last year are returning. Buddy Johnson and Bobby Brown are the only guys from last years squad who are moving onto the NFL. Returning 9 out of 11 starters on the best defense in the SEC is a perfect recipe for another monster year for the Aggie defense. I truly can’t wait to see them play. Nothing better than watching a team fly to the ball, hit hard, cover well and suffocate an opposing offense. I think there will be a lot more of that in 2021. Here’s who we think will be lining up play one on September 4th in Kyle Field.
Defense:
Strong Safety: Leon O’Neal
Free Safety: Demani Richardson
Cornerback: Jaylon Jones, Myles Jones
Nickelback: Eric Young
Middle Linebacker: Andre White Jr,
Weak Side Linebacker: Aaron Hansford
Defensive End: Demarvin Leal, Micheal Clemons
Defensive Tackle: Jayden Peevy, Mckinnley Jackson
Again, not a ton of surprises here and pretty limited guess work on my end. I think its pretty safe to say barring a terrible off season that McKinnley Jackson will step in and fill Bobby Brown’s role. Jackson played very well in his rotational role as a freshman and seems poised to step into a starting spot. The other spot to watch is linebacker as Buddy Johnson departed. I think Andre White is the first man in line to grab a starting spot, so I imagine he will line up alongside super senior Aaron Hansford. If you need any refresher on Andrew White, watch the LSU game last year when he filled in the for the injured Hansford. The kid can ball, just ask LSU QB Max Johnson.
Photo: Sam Craft, AP Photo.
The secondary is always worth keeping an eye on, especially with Elijah Blades coming back after opting out of the 2020 season. There are a bunch of talented players, especially at safety, waiting for their opportunity. I just don’t see much of a shake up happening. Demani is solid, Myles and Jaylon Jones played damn good after the Alabama game, and Leon O’Neal improved a ton last year. I’d be surprised if any of those guys surrendered their starting role. The one spot to really watch is that nickelback (shoutout Chad Kroeger). That’s the spot where someone can really see the field because Elko typically runs a 4-2-5 base defense.
I think Eric Young is the man for the job there, and he got plenty of snaps at that spot last year. But also worth keeping an eye on Brian George, Elijah Blades, Devin George, Brian Williams and Keldrick Carper. All those guys have a shot to see some time as the fifth defensive back. I think the guy playing there will depend a lot on the opponent and how much speed they have on the outside.
Last thing worth pointing out is that Tyree Johnson will see a ton of time at the defensive end position. I think Clemons will start over him, especially with how he played when healthy last year, but Johnson is a beast in his own right. Hopefully Clemons can stay healthy, but either way Johnson needs to be on the field. And he will be. We are deep of the defensive line and rotate constantly so just because a guy is not starting doesn’t mean he won’t get on the field.
I’m getting pumped up just thinking about watching this unit next fall, hopefully with a full Kyle Field behind them cheering them on.
#BTHOOffseason
