Texas A&M Football: Aggies will be dangerous in Jimbo Fisher’s first year

Defense

In addition to returning SEC sack leader Landis Durham, the Texas A&M front seven could be the deepest the unit has been since the days of Von Miller and Damontre Moore. A liability for the Aggies in their first six seasons in the SEC, the emergence of junior Tyrel Dodson and Otara Alaka have paved the way for what will easily be the best linebacking corps in College Station since joining the SEC.

Young, but talented rushers like Anthony Hines, Justin Madubuike and Bobby Brown are exactly the kind of depth needed for the grind of the SEC West. And then there’s perpetual breakout candidate Daylon Mack. If the former 5-star defensive tackle can put it together in his final season in Aggieland this unit could vie with Alabama and Auburn for the best in the West.

The secondary returns a fair amount of talent as well, but most of it needs to be more battle tested. Derrick Tucker, Keldrick Carper and Larry Pryor have all had their moments at safety, but it remains to be seen who will step up alongside senior Donovan Wilson on the back end.

Cornerback has the same question marks but will benefit from the reinsertion of Clifford Chattman. Ruled ineligible for the 2017 season, Chattman has been looked upon as the most talented outside defender on the team. It would come as a surprise if he doesn’t have one of the starting jobs locked down by the end of Septemeber with junior Charles Oliver the most likely candidate to start opposite of him.

The wildcard on defense is freshman safety Leon O’Neal Jr. A last-minute addition to the 2018 class, Fisher had to work hard to secure his committed. Since joining the fold he’s one of the more vocal members of the team. Texas A&M is going to need someone that makes the big plays. It was Armani Watts last year and Justin Evans the year before that. O’Neal could be the next in a long line of play-making safeties.