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SEC Football: Top 100 SEC players to watch in 2016

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Myles Garrett 2015 Season Statistics

  • Games Played: 13
  • Tackles: 59
  • Tackles for Loss: 19.5
  • Sacks: 12.5
  • Interceptions: 1
  • Pass Breakups: 2
  • Forced Fumbles: 5
  • Fumble Recoveries: 0
  • Notable: Named a first-team All-American by the FWAA and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, in addition to First Team All-SEC by the AP and the league’s coaches.

The Texas A&M Aggies made large strides defensively in 2015, thanks in large part to new defensive coordinator John Chavis. A&M allowed 380.0 total yards of offense per game last season, which ranked eighth in the SEC, but was an improvement of more than 70 yards of the team’s 2014 performance. Against the pass, the Aggies allowed just 166.3 yards per contest, which was second best in the league.

Chavis certainly helped, but he had the advantage of inheriting the SEC’s most talented pass rusher, Myles Garrett. A five-star prospect that set an SEC freshman record with 11.5 sacks in 2014, Garrett led the league with 12.5 sacks as a sophomore. His 19.5 tackles for loss also topped the leaderboard, as did his five forced fumbles.

An athletically gifted 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Garrett also chased down ball carriers and tallied 59 tackles. He even intercepted a pass and knocked down two others.

Simply put, based on his talent and production, Garrett is the SEC’s top returning defender in 2016. And, with fellow defensive end Daeshon Hall and budding star defensive tackles Daylon Mack, as well as Chavis and Top 100 defenders Donovan Wilson and Armani Watts, A&M should be ever better on defense next season.

Next: Chad Kelly

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