Tag: Nic Scourton

Just how much has Texas A&M improved each week? PFF tells the story

Will the Aggies continue to improve after the bye week?

Texas A&M’s 2024 season is off to a blistering start, as the Aggies have reeled off five consecutive wins, including a 41-10 blowout over a top 10-ranked Missouri Team in Week 7.

This week, head coach Mike Elko and his staff have been focused on recruiting. The team will relax this weekend before returning to practice on Monday to prepare for a tough road game against Mississippi State next Saturday afternoon.

Heading into the final stretch with three SEC road games remaining and, of course, the regular season finale vs. the Texas Longhorns in the renewed Lone Star Showdown, improvement needs to continue on both sides of the ball. Credit to Elko and his staff for sticking to the game plan, as both units are coming together nicely.

The return of a healthy starting quarterback, Conner Weigman, certainly changes the offense’s trajectory, as the redshirt sophomore completed 18/22 for 276 yards against the Tigers, springing the rushing attack to 238 yards and five touchdowns, including three scores from junior running back Le’Veon Moss.

Defensively, A&M’s pass rush produced six sacks and eight tackles for loss, while the secondary notched five pass deflections, as junior cornerback Will Lee III currently leads the nation in deflections with eight on the year.

While the stats speak for themselves, Pro Football Focus, which has tracked the Aggies’ overall progress in every metric imaginable, shows A&M’s weekly progress from the tool’s “Overall Performance” grade. Here’s how Texas A&M has graded out in all six games:

Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame (24-13 loss): 55.6 Overall Grade

Texas A&M vs. McNeese (52-10 win): 92.9 Overall Grade

Texas A&M vs. Florida (33-20 win): 69.9 Overall Grade

Texas A&M vs. Bowling Green (26-20 win): 72.2 Overall Grade

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (21-17 win): 80.3 Overall Grade

Texas A&M vs. Missouri (41-10 win): 82.6 Overall Grade

These numbers reflect the impressive play of the offensive line in both pass protection and run blocking, while the run game has consistently graded out in the high to mid-70s through six games. All in all, these grades show that Elko and his staff’s game plans are working.

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Texas A&M run defense has drastically improved since the start of the season

Texas A&M’s run defense has steadily improved throughout the year

Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) has steadily become one of the best defensive teams in the country over a two-game span. The Aggies showed utter dominance during Saturday’s 41-10 win over Missouri in Week 7 and are now ranked 36th in the country in total defense.

Unsurprisingly, this unit has improved since the Week 1 loss to Notre Dame, as the stars have begun to shine, led by junior defensive end Nic Scourton. At the same time, cornerback Will Lee III has looked like a shutdown defender in the secondary, leading the country in pass deflections (8).

However, one weakness that hindered A&M’s late chances against the Fighting Irish was the run defense, allowing 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the season opener. The next week, while the score says otherwise, Texas A&M allowed 180 rushing yards in the 52-10 win over McNeese, but after that result, things changed quickly.

Vowing to improve against the run, sophomore LB Taurean York knew that everyone, including the linebackers, needed to be better up front; whether it was coaching adjustments or simply a better understanding of run fits, the run defense has continued to climb in the rankings as one of the better-performing aspects of the Aggie defense.

After the win against McNeese, Texas A&M’s run defense was ranked 108th. After wins against Florida (52 rushing yards), Bowling Green (89 rushing yards), Arkansas (100 rushing yards), and Missouri (68 rushing yards), the ranking has skyrocketed to 40th, allowing an average of 114 rushing yards per game.

Impressive, to say the least, is the mix of coaching and overall effort from the defensive line to plug holes and set the edge, which has made the Aggie defense a complete unit heading into the second half of the regular season.

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Joel Klatt makes surprising prediction concerning Texas A&M’s playoff chances

Rat poison? Just win, baby

Texas A&M has made it through the first six games of the 2024 season with a  5-1 record and an SEC-leading 3-0 start in conference play after dismantling the Missouri Tigers 41-10 on Saturday afternoon, as the Aggies now head toward their Week 7 bye week.

While starting 5-1 has surprised nearly every media member who seemingly placed the program in rebuild territory under first-year head coach Mike Elko, the roster was always too talented to struggle through what remains a manageable schedule. However, despite the success, it hasn’t been for the faint of heart.

After two games, starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s shoulder injury resulted in the redshirt sophomore missing three consecutive games, giving way to backup QB Marcel Reed, helping the Aggies win the next three games. However, it wasn’t without some struggle.

After defeating Arkansas 21-17 behind a memorable defensive effort, Reed’s struggles with accuracy hindered A&M’s passing offense. This led to Weigman’s return to practice last week and eventual first start in nearly a month against Missouri.

After completing 18/22 for 276 yards, paired with 238 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, the Aggies torched the Tigers and now look like one of the best teams in the SEC.

Well, it didn’t take long for the national media to take notice, as Fox Sports CFB analyst Joel Klatt is all of a sudden a fan of what the Aggies have accomplished so far, stating on X,

“Wrap your mind around this…@AggieFootball (Texas A&M Football) has a good shot at the CFP…in fact I would put money on it right now.”

To quote former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, most of the fanbase will see this as “rat poison,” but it’s also not surprising that more analysts are taking notice of what the Aggies have accomplished thus far.

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Saints among 10 teams with scouts at Texas A&M vs. Missouri

The New Orleans Saints were among 10 teams with scouts at Texas A&M’s game with Missouri on Saturday. Who could they have been scouting?

There’s always a strong contingent of NFL scouts at Kyle Field, but the New Orleans Saints were in that number for Saturday’s matchup between Texas A&M and Missouri, per Joey Van Zummeren at Missouri Tigers on SI. Which 2025 draft prospects could the Saints have their eye on?

Defensive end/outside linebacker Nic Scourton is the top prospect for the Aggies, and he has the size the Saints covet at a listed 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds. Before transferring from Purdue he led the Big 10 in sacks (10) in 2023, and he’s seen as a sure thing for the first round. His teammates along the defensive interior, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner, are also likely to be picked early next year, and quarterback Conner Weigman is high on some draft boards, too.

But the best prospect in the game was wide receiver Luther Burden. A potential first overall pick in his own right, Burden broke out with 85 receptions for 1,212 yards and scored 9 touchdowns last year, and he’s since picked up where he left off with four scores in as many games. Right tackle  Armand Membou has an NFL future, too, and his matchup with Scourton could do a lot to impact his draft stock.

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Best Photos from Texas A&M’s 21-17 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks

Here are the best photos from Texas A&M’s 21-17 win over Arkansas

Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) is now in first place in the SEC after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 21-17 on Saturday afternoon, as the Aggies defense came through late to seal the victory.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, who made his third consecutive start, finished the game 11/22 for 163 yards and two touchdowns through the air while accounting for another score on the ground. However, Reed’s accuracy issues hindered OC Collin Klein’s play calling, opting to run the ball more than needed.

Defensively, junior defensive end Nic Scourton finished the game with four tackles, two sacks, and four tackles for loss in his best game of the year thus far. In contrast, the rest of the defensive line and secondary stepped up when needed, allowing just three points off a late Arkansas field goal in the second half.

Next Saturday, Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to face an undefeated Missouri Tigers team coming off a bye week, as the Aggies hope to continue the momentum ride against one of the best offensive teams in the country.

Here are the best photos from Texas A&M’s critical win over Arkansas.

Texas A&M Pro Football Focus grades after defeating Bowling Green

Here are some of the Pro Football Focus grades from Texas A&M’s 26-20 win over Bowling Green

Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) defeated Bowling Green 26-20 in a game that was way too close for comfort from start to finish, as quarterback Marcel Reed made his second consecutive start amid Conner Weigman’s ongoing shoulder injury.

In a game where the Aggies never trailed, it certainly felt like the home team was playing from behind, as Reed and the offense failed to find consistency through the air, while the run game stalled out on multiple possessions but still produced 235 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the D-line was great against the run, limiting the Falcons to 85 rushing yards, while Shemar Turner and Shemar Stewart recorded their first sacks of the year. While defensive end Nic Scourton finished second on the team in tackles, the junior knows the pass rush must improve.

“I thought the D-line played OK. We are supposed to be a dominant force on that defense… It’s a lot of holes and stuff that we can fix and put less stress on the backend.”

While the score was close compared to the pregame expectations, Pro Football Focus’s newest player ratings show progress from several players on offense and defense.

Along the offensive line, starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III (88.8 pass-blocking grade) and right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams (86.1 pass-blocking grade) did now allow a pressure in 30-plus pass-pro snaps. At the same time, backup center Koli Faaiu, who came in for the injured TJ Shanahan, finished the game with a team-high 80.8 offensive grade.

Returning to Scourton (6 tackles, one tackle for loss) and Stewart (2 tackles, one sack), both defensive linemen recorded the highest defensive grades on the night. In the secondary, safety Marcus Ratcliffe recorded his third interception in three consecutive games, recording three tackles on the night. Here are the rest of the notable PFF defensive grades.

  • LB Scooby Williams (81.5)
  • LB Taurean York (82.0)
  • LB Daymion Sanford (80.9)
  • CB Will Lee III (81.1)
  • CB Jaydon Hill (80.0)
  • S Marcus Ratcliffe (70.4)

Note: In an earlier article, we examined quarterback Marcel Reed’s PFF grades.

Texas A&M will face Arkansas inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

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.

‘We just got to be better’ players react to Texas A&M’s 26-20 win over Bowling Green

Even in a win, Texas A&M enters next week with a lot of unanswered questions

Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) defeated the visiting Bowling Green Falcons (1-2) on Saturday night, only to leave a packed Kyle Field with an underwhelming 26-20 victory that certainly could have gone the other way if it wasn’t for kicker Randy Bond’s four field goals.

It was a win that felt like a loss to the fans, media members, and even Aggies head coach Mike Elko, who knows that resting on your laurels usually results in similar outcomes to what we saw on Saturday night.

“This is what I said to the guys… ‘If you ever relax in this game, it will find a way to humble you instantly.'”

“You have a big road win and you tend to relax because that human nature… You can’t do that.”

Offensively, backup quarterback Marcel Reed made his second consecutive start, finishing the game with 173 yards through the air and two touchdowns while running for 91 yards. However, he was inaccurate for most of the game due to a lack of wide receiver separation and poor blocking up front.

After the game, starting right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams and defensive end Nic Scourton joined Elko at the podium to speak to the media. Adams noted the offense’s loose play, which resulted in several lapses, including a late fumble by running back Le’Veon Moss.

“It just got a little loose at the end. We kept the intensity the same throughout the week.”

“Things don’t change because we won a road game. We just got to be better.”

Scourton, who finished the game with six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a QB hurry, felt like the defensive line played well throughout the game but, like all of us have observed, noted that this unit has not lived up to its preseason hype, recording just two sacks on the night.

“I thought the D-line played OK. We are supposed to be a dominant force on that defense… It’s a lot of holes and stuff that we can fix and put less stress on the backend.”

However, one bright spot on defense was holding Bowling Green to 89 yards on the ground. This was the second consecutive game this season that A&M’s defense has kept teams under the 100-yard mark.

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Texas A&M DE Nic Scourton vs. Florida’s left tackle is the matchup to watch

Florida starting left tackle Austin Barber will be a tough matchup for Nic Scourton

Heading into Texas A&M’s week 3 road matchup against SEC counterpart Florida on Saturday afternoon, the quarterback battle has been the primary talking point among the media. However, one matchup could make or break each team’s chances.

While Texas A&M’s offense needs a balanced attack to move the ball down the field at a consistent rate, the battle between Aggies’ defensive end Nic Scourton and Florida left tackle Austin Barber will likely dictate any pass rush success for the Maroon & White after recorder just one sack in two games.

First referenced by new Texas A&M beat writer Tony Catalina, Barber is currently rated as Florida’s second highest-rated offensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus (72.5), but we’re also talking about a player in Scourton who recorded a Big Ten-leading ten sacks last year during his final season at Purdue.

For many future NFL stars, it takes time to adjust to a new scheme, but after the first few games, the talent comes out of hiding, and the dominance begins. For Scourton, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will likely move him around the line to expose matchups throughout the afternoon.

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Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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‘It has been terrible’ HC Mike Elko agrees that Texas A&M’s run defense needs improvement

Mike Elko’s history as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator is good news for the Aggie run defense

On Monday, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko spoke to the media two days after A&M’s 52-10 win over McNeese State. At the same time, the focus has completely shifted to the Florida Gators, as the Aggies will travel to Gainsville for a Saturday afternoon showdown.

Even after the big victory, question marks regarding Texas A&M’s weak run defense, currently ranked 109th in rushing yards allowed, haven’t just been media talking, as Elko was asked about the issues with SEC play on the horizon.

“It has been terrible, to be honest.”

“Giving up 185 yards per game on the ground is certainly not where we want to be.”

Chunk plays were an issue starting with the loss to Notre Dame, as the Irish netted 136 rushing yards on just six carries, including a 47-yard go-ahead touchdown in the second half. Against McNeese, 128 rushing yards in the second half against mostly reserve defensive linemen looks like a lesser red flag.

However, recent history suggests that Elko should clean up these issues during his three-year stint as A&M’s defensive coordinator and his time as Duke’s head coach, finishing as a top-30 ranked unit outside of one season.

Last season, Texas A&M finished 13th in run defense under former defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. However, losing defensive starters like LB Edgerrin Cooper and McKinnley Jackson to the NFL has likely contributed to the drop-off.

For starting defensive end Shemar Stewart, physicality is the key to improving against the run, starting with setting the edge and playing with a high motor no matter the situation.

“It all begins up front. We try to pride ourselves on not having the ball being run on us. We don’t want the ball to get to the second level.”

“We will try to emphasize being more physical against the run.”

Defensive end Nic Scourton, who finished with 50 tackles during his final season with Purdue, possesses the size, strength, and position versatility to plug the gaps, force teams to pass, and help the pass rush finally make an impact this season.

Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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Texas A&M’s run defense must improve ahead of SEC play

Texas A&M’s run defense has quietly been one of the worst in the country

Texas A&M (1-1) head coach Mike Elko earned his first win with the program after the Aggies blew out the visiting McNeese State Cowboys 52-10 on Saturday afternoon.

Behind an impressive performance on the ground, junior running backs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, who helped pave the way for 333 yards and five rushing touchdowns, might be a good sign ahead of SEC play, combined with improved run blocking from the offensive line.

However, covered up by the blowout, the Aggie run defense has been highly suspect over the past two games. It has allowed 378 rushing yards for an 189-yard average per game, ranking 109th in the country.

Coming into the season, Texas A&M’s lack of depth in the interior defensive line looked like a potential issue, as defensive tackles Albert Regis, DJ Hicks, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy join senior Stemar Turner as the only reliable options. However, this group is talented and strong enough to fix their run-fit issues.

This also lies at the feet of starting linebacker Taurean York; after the season-opening loss to Notre Dame, when they surrendered 198 rushing yards, they took full responsibility for the defense’s lack of consistency against the run.

“The breakdown was me. I missed a tackle on the long touchdown.”

“They ran 200 yards, and most of that was in the second half. It’s on me at the end of the day.”

Florida’s offense presents a challenge through the air next weekend, especially if freshman QB DJ Lagway earns the start. However, the rushing offense, ranked 75th in the country with 152.5 yards per game, doesn’t look like a huge threat on paper.

Regardless, this unit must be ready to stop the run early and often to prevent the Gators from establishing momentum.

Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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.