Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. No. 7 Notre Dame has arrived, as the 20th-ranked Aggies will lead new head coach Mike Elko out of the tunnel inside what could be a sold-out Kyle Field on Saturday night.
While most sportsbooks favor the Aggies by a slim 3-point margin, Notre Dame’s talented and experienced defense might pose a serious challenge for Texas A&M’s offense as new OC Collin Klein looks to find the slim holes the defense presents early and often.
On the other hand, Notre Dame’s young and inexperienced offensive line could be a gift to A&M’s D-line, which includes senior Shemar Turner. Turner, who moved inside to defensive tackle full-time this season, is entering what some would coin as a redemption tour after facing numerous injuries last season.
Despite dealing with an upper and lower body injury last season, Turner was one of the program’s most productive defenders, recording 33 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and six sacks on the year. With those injury-riddled numbers, think about what he can do in full health.
This offseason, Turner’s “Chipolte diet” included plenty of protein and the calories needed to add 30 pounds of solid mass to his current 6-4 300-pound frame. After missing most of the spring football period to continue healing from his 2023 injuries, Turner’s work with new S&C Tommy Moffitt exhibited the veteran coach’s successful process in pushing players to the limit to achieve results.
“It hurts with Moffitt, I am not going to lie,” Turner stated this offseason. “Moffitt is going to make it hurt, but he is not going to (overextend) you. He is not going to make you do too much more than what you need to do. He is going to make it hurt just right. He is going to push you to that limit.”
As a Mike Elko recruit during the Aggie head coach’s defensive coordinator days, Turner played most of his snaps at defensive tackle, as the former coaching staff opted to move him to the outside during his last two seasons. However, Elko knows that Turner’s toughness, strength, and high motor will easily translate to success in the middle of the defense.
“It is a natural progression for him. He is a big, physical kid. He has got tremendous athleticism. He is a plus pass rusher. He is a tremendous run stopper. So I think he is going to have a phenomenal year for us there.”
Turner was named to the Bednarik and Lombardi watch list this offseason alongside teammate and defensive end Nic Scourton.
No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ABC.
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