Texas A&M Football: Will Jimbo Fisher lead Aggies to SEC title in 2019?

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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 17: Tyler Johnston III #17 of the UAB Blazers is sacked by Justin Madubuike #52 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the second quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018, in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Defense undergoing major overhaul

In comparison to the offense, the Aggie defense is undergoing a big-time overhaul.

Kingsley Keke and Landis Durham? Gone. Daylon Mack? Gone. Donovan Wilson? Gone. Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka? Gone and gone. That’s two defensive ends, a defensive tackle, a safety and two linebackers gone — all starters.

To say that this unit is going to be full of newer faces is an understatement. So let’s go over some names you need to know this season.

Safety Leon O’ Neal is a big one that you have got to know this year if you don’t already. He began to really show his stuff in the bowl game against NC State, but now it will be his time to shine at the safety position and he will likely do just that in 2019.

He is not, however, the most valuable defender on the team in 2019.

That is a guy gunning for the NFL Draft at the end of the year. That is Justin Madubuike, a defensive lineman. He was easily the biggest surprise when Jimbo Fisher and Mike Elko took over at the start of last season. This guy is going to have a big-time season in 2019. Look for quite a few sacks, like double-digit numbers for Madubuike.

Look for the secondary to get better for sure though with a second year under Elko. Transfer Elijah Blades will beef up that cornerback position for sure. Of course, when you rank 12th out of 14th in pass defense a season ago, there is nowhere to go but up.

There will be quite a few questions at the linebacker position for the Aggies. Texas A&M lost Dodson and Alaka, both starters. Guys like Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines III are looking to fill those holes, but it will be hard for the Aggies to replace what they lost here.