The countdown to Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener against Notre Dame is nearing single digits.
Ten days remain before the 7th-ranked Fighting Irish head to College Station for a primetime showdown. New Aggies head coach Mike Elko has completed the long journey to accepting the position, going through his first offseason, and finishing his first fall practice period with the team this month.
Aggies Wire will focus on one player daily for the next ten days, ranking the Top 10 players on the 2024 roster. Junior defensive back Bryce Anderson is back at free safety under Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s scheme, coming in at No. 9 on our list.
After two successful seasons, Jimbo Fisher’s firing is likely the best thing to happen to Anderson. The junior has clear NFL potential as a safety, and his playing in front of a potentially elite defensive line will allow scouts to assess his skillset.
In his most productive season yet, Anderson finished the 2023 campaign with 55 tackles, 34 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. He has an elite closing speed and impressive coverage instincts, as his 6-0 192-pound frame provides enough cushion to take on running backs and tight ends in the open field.
Anderson’s on-field leadership will be counted on, as former starting safety Demani Richardson’s departure to the NFL essentially passes the torch to the Beaumont, Texas native. The Beaumont, Texas native will join former Central Michigan safety Trey Jones and sophomore Dalton Brooks in the safety rotation.
While Anderson will be relied on in coverage due to his sideline-to-sideline agility, I’d expect Elko and Bateman to occasionally deploy him as a pass rusher to take advantage of his top-end speed.
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