Can the Texas A&M defense be elite in 2022?

Antonio Johnson took the stage to discuss the Aggies’ potentially dominant defense this coming season

It’s finally here folks, the start of a new college football season, and more importantly, the beginning stages of the 2022 Texas A&M Football campaign as fall camp has officially begun. Earlier this afternoon, the annual first-day press conference was held, offering the media a chance to ask offensive and defensive team leaders wide receiver Ainias Smith, and defensive back Antonio Johnson questions regarding team philosophy, their outlook on the season, etc.

After discussing what the 2022 Texas A&M offense will look like, and his leadership role in his final season with the program, Senior wide receiver Ainias smith departed the stage which gave way to junior defensive back, and one of the selected defensive leaders on the team, Antonio Johnson.

Asked about how the Aggies loaded secondary may look at the start of the 2022 season, as well as his impending leadership role in his third season, and second as a starter, Johnson answered:

“Different? Yes because I feel like it’s the most experienced group on the defense, and whenever you have an experienced secondary, it’s going to be pretty good.”

“When you have younger guys and older guys looking at you for answers and for guidance, you have to hold yourself to a different standard.”

Johnson went on to discuss the importance of fall camp in preparing for the challenges ahead in dealing with the always grueling SEC schedule, and his focus on creating more takeaways on defense, with only 14 total turnovers last season:

“During fall camp, it’s a hard time. There are going to be some days where you don’t feel like going or your body doesn’t feel good. I feel like that prepares us for the season in the SEC.”

“It helps you mentally get prepared for the season.”

“There is an emphasis within the players on the defense that we harped on a lot on being more disruptive around the ball.”

“That’s something we’re trying to improve on this season, for sure.”

Antonio Johnson will be alongside senior strong safety Demani Richardson as the presumed leaders on the defense and will be looked on to set the defensive tone every week, knowing that this new leadership position starts in fall camp.

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