Texas A&M held its weekly press conference on Thursday afternoon. After nearly a month into fall camp, head coach Jimbo Fisher and select players including cornerback Jaylon Jones and defensive end Fadil Diggs took questions as the Aggie’s season opener on September 3rd is nearly two short weeks away.
This year’s camp has been thoroughly enjoyable, to say the least, with a hefty amount of media attention given to the ongoing quarterback competition, the early flashes from members of the historically talented 2022 recruiting class, and new offensive line coach Steve Addazio’s various tweaks made to the O-line starting rotation every week so far. Giving an update on how camp has progressed this week, junior cornerback Jaylon Jones and sophomore defensive end Fadil Diggs answered a plethora of questions before Jimbo reached the stage.
Jaylon began by reflecting on the 2021 season, specifically the closing stages before Covid-related issues nixed their chances of participating in the bowl game:
“I feel like going into the bowl week, we really wanted to play that game and finish the season right, but due to COVID, we couldn’t. Other than that, it has felt like a regular offseason.”
Jones then highlighted the importance of having senior defensive backs Myles Jones and Brian George in the defensive backfield, while also noting how impressed he is with the wide receivers so far in practice:
“Having those vet guys back and having those guys back brings depth to our cornerback room.”
“The wide receivers are going their thing and doing great. Evan Stewart is a guy. The receiver corps, they give us good matchups, so I appreciate those guys.”
Jones continued when asked if there were any major differences between former defensive coordinator Mike Elko’s defense and current coordinator D.J. Durkins:
“It’s a little different with the defensive schemes, but not much.”
On the defensive mindset, and the competition level in practice:
“Physical, fast, get to the ball, alignment, assignment, technique.”
“The competition is always at a high level with this team. Going out there every day, we make each other better.”
As the last player to answer questions for the day, Fadil Diggs reflected on what it was like to play alongside DeMarvin Leal, Micheal Clemons, and Tyree Johnson during the 2021 season:
“What I learned was to make practice harder than the games, and I’d like to pass that on to the younger guys. … I’m trying to give the leadership to those guys that they gave to me.”
Diggs on what he can bring to the Aggies pass rush this season:
“I just try to play my own game. I know those guys did a lot, but I’m just trying to be Fadil Diggs. I learned a lot from those guys, but I’m just doing what I do best.”
Asked about what brought him all the way to College Station, Texas from New Jersey, Diggs answered,
“It was a family decision. I have great relationships with the coaches. It was just different for my family. We did a lot of research, and I found out about the Aggie Network, which is very strong.”
When asked about the progress made from the much-anticipated freshman defensive line group, Diggs gleefully responded,
“They work hard every day, and I’ve noticed the more we’ve gotten into camp that their confidence has shot up. That’s great for them, and those young guys are going to be special.”
Finally, Diggs briefly discussed the mindset in the locker room, as the team is only mere weeks away from the season opener against Sam Houston State:
“We’re taking it a day at a time. We’re worried about today’s practice. The talk in the locker room is not about Sam Houston. We talk about today’s practice and how we can get better as a team.”
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