As we near the end of Texas A&M’s (4-3, 2-2 SEC) bye week, the focus has, of course, shifted to head coach Jimbo Fisher’s shaky future with the program, as the same tired side-by-side Aggie records of Fisher (43-24) and former Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin’s (45-22) after 77 games is notable, but not important from a contextual standpoint.
However, despite the Aggie’s disappointing 2023 record, Texas A&M’s 10th-ranked defense, also leading the country in sacks (29), is led by the productive linebacker duo of junior Edgerrin Cooper and freshman Taurean York.
York, who is second on the team in tackles with 41, has surprised all of us who cover the program due to his youth and collegiate inexperience. He has played like the top freshman defender every week thus far, leading to his selection to The Athletic’s Midseason Freshman All-American team.
Coming off of his team-leading nine-tackle performance in the loss to Tennessee, his second-highest output of the season. York’s in-game responsibility as the defensive playcaller at the MIKE position is even more impressive, with less than an entire collegiate season under his belt.
Another honor for @TaureanYork5x đź’Ş
Taurean has been named to @TheAthletic Midseason Freshman All-America team pic.twitter.com/pUuhJYZ7Z4
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) October 19, 2023
Already earning multiple accolades this season, including 247Sports Freshman of the Week and SEC Player of the Week, York was also named to FWAA’s (Football Writers Association of America) Freshman All-America Watch List earlier this week.
Five games remain on A&M’s schedule, and York must continue playing at a high level to produce stops in the run game while providing adequate pass rush when needed. Congratulations again, Taurean!
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