Tag: Jared Kerr

WATCH: Texas A&M safety Jared Kerr lays the boom stick on QB Mike Wright, leading to a fumble return TD from DT Shemar Stewart

Texas A&M has taken a dominant 41-10 lead over Mississippi State after Jared Kerr’s sack on QB Mike Wright led to a Shemar Stewart scoop and score!

Being a quarterback in the SEC is tough; that’s a given, but when you have to go against one of the best pass rushes in the county on the road and at night, things could get reckless.

Texas A&M’s offense behind third-string quarterback Jaylen Henderson may be the storyline, but give it to the Aggie’s 15th-ranked defense, who have taken over this game in the second half, as the second-ranked pass rush, who have now recorded 36 sacks on the year, just produced one of the best defensive highlights on the year.

Just minutes after halftime, Mississippi State’s first possession in the 3rd quarter, quarterback Mike Wright stood in the pocket while reading through his progressions, and just when he thought he was in the clear, A&M sophomore safety Jared Kerr shot through the gap like a bullet train to lay a brutal sack on the former Vanderbilt signal caller, leading to fumble, which was picked up by sophomore DT Shemar Stewart who rumbled his way to the end zone for a scoop and score.

In the Aggies’ next offensive possession, Jaylen Henderson hit wide receiver Jahdae Walker to take an imposing 48-10 lead with a full quarter left. This team is playing confidently, and for all the social media-based chatter surrounding head coach Jimbo Fisher’s job security, I’m sorry to say that this isn’t helping increase fan apathy.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M Football 2023 Position Preview: Safeties; a deep and talented group

Texas A&M’s safety depth is one of the many strengths within the Aggies roster, led by senior strong safety Demani Richardson.

Texas A&M kicks off the 2023 college football season in just 50 short days, and while the offseason is nearing its conclusion sooner than later, it’s time to preview what Jimbo Fisher and his staff will be working with from a roster perspective, starting one Safety; of the deepest and most experienced groups the country,

Returning production: Senior strong safety Demani Richardson will return for his fifth and final season in Aggieland after using his Covid year, coming off of yet another productive 2022 season, recording a career-high 73 tackles and five PBUs; he is not only looking to increase his NFL Draft status for 2024 but do everything in his power to aid the Aggies in rebounding from their disappointing 5-7 2022 campaign.

Junior free safety Jardin Gilbert, who ascended on the scene during his first season as a starter, recorded 61 tackles, two interceptions, and four PBUs in 2022. Expect big things from Gilbert in Year 3.

The Sophomore duo of former 2022 four-star prospects Jacoby Matthews (25 tackles, 15 solo) and Jarred Kerr (22 tackles, 15 solo, one sack) make up most of the safety depth after both produced when their names were called in big moments last season. After a minor offseason hiccup, Matthews is ready to pick up where he left off as a free safety depth piece, while the speedy Kerr will likely be utilized as a third-down blitzing option.

Departures: Former Texas A&M safety/nickel corner Antonio Johnson, who was drafted in the 5th-round of the 2023 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars, is truly the only loss the Aggies have incurred at the position this offseason, and even though his notable length and versatility will be missed, the Aggies are in very good hands for 2023.

Final Observation: Texas A&M’s defense ranked first in the country in passing yards allowed at 156.2 yards per game last season, primarily due to Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert’s consistent effort combined with a defensive back group that will also experience limited attrition going into next season. For those wondering, sophomore defensive back Bryce Anderson will likely take over the nickel corner spot, replacing Antonio Johnson.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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Texas A&M’s safety group has a nice mix of experience and breakout potential heading into 2023

Texas A&M’s safety unit possesses a nice mix of veteran experience and star potential, led by two returning starters with one breakout candidate to keep an eye on.

With spring football in the rearview mirror, it leaves ample time to dissect what appears to be one of the stronger units on the Texas A&M roster in their safety group.

Headling the backend unit for the Aggies are two experienced starters in Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert. Richardson returns for his fifth season while Gilbert heads back for his third, and the fact that both have improved year-over-year should spell great things for this unit in 2023.

Richardson has gotten better in coverage over the last few seasons and was graded 66.4 in coverage per PFF (393rd out of all safeties). He’s fine-tuned his ability to see plays as they develop and anticipate routes for pass breakups. Gilbert has improved his tackling and feels primed to make a leap in run support after being graded 43.9 in run defense by PFF in 2022.

Perhaps the biggest x-factor of this unit is sophomore Bryce Anderson, who many coaches and observers noted was one of the best performers during the Aggies 2023 spring football program. That consensus belief seems justified as he was named one of the team’s defensive MVPs during the Maroon and White game.

Anderson was rated as a four-star coming out of high school and already has a bevy of experience underneath him after logging snaps as a backup last year, as well as on special teams.

He’s currently slotted in as a nickel corner, which means he’ll likely fill the void left by Antonio Johnson. The fit makes sense as he should thrive with his physicality and athleticism, but don’t rule out a possible shift to one of the safety spots in the near future. If there was one name in this unit to keep an eye out for a potential breakout season, it’s Anderson.

When it’s all said and done, there’s a chance he could lend just as great of an impact as Johnson did before him.

Outside of the aforementioned names, it gets a bit spotty when it comes to safety depth. Granted, that’s to be expected when you have a handful of younger players that are bound to face a learning curve. Jacoby Matthews has size but was in and out of spring ball. Jared Kerr was also a bit banged up, and the playing time for Bobby Taylor remains to be seen. He did enter, then exit, the transfer portal just recently, so perhaps more snaps on the field is in the near future for him.

Jimbo Fisher could very well round out this unit with additional depth via the transfer portal, but as the group currently stands they have a nice blend of veteran experience, coupled with a potential breakout star, that should put a stamp on the impending 2023 season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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