Tag: shemar Stewart

‘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.

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Texas A&M DL Shemar Turner is determined to fulfil his high expectation this season

Shemar Turner is ready to dominate at his new position

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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Defensive end Nic Scourton featured in our Texas A&M Countdown to Kickoff

Nic Scourton is No. 1 on our countdown to the 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame

The countdown to Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener against Notre Dame is just two days away.

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 and coming in as our No. 1-ranked player, former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton looks like the best player on the team; outside of starting quarterback Conner Weigman.

After leading the Big Ten in sacks (10) during his final season with the Boilermakers, Scourton’s elite plays in the trenches are a combination of natural talent and hard work, as the junior pass rusher added more muscle to his 290-pound frame after working with new Aggies’ S&C coach Tommy Moffitt.

Scourton joins a defensive line that featured a former litter of 4- and 5-star prospects in their second and third year, including senior defensive lineman Shemar Turner, who recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks at defensive end last season before moving back inside.

Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Nic Scourton (5) tackles Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) during the NCAA football game, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Wisconsin Badgers won 38-17.

What makes Texas A&M’s defensive line so dangerous on paper is the duo of Scourton and former 5-star defensive end Shemar Stewart, who has equally impressed this fall after adding more muscle, adding to his natural power and strong hands.

For the Aggies to accomplish their goals this season, Scourton will need to consistently wreak havoc in the backfield, starting with taking on a Notre Dame offensive line with just six combined starts between all five starters.

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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Will Texas A&M’s D-line take advantage of Notre Dame’s young O-line?

Notre Dame will start freshman Anthonie Knapp vs. Texas A&M

Ahead of Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame on Saturday night, Aggies’ head coach Mike Elko talked to the local media on Monday afternoon, where he was asked about facing a Notre Dame offensive line that will feature three sophomores and two freshman starters, which just six total starts between the five starters.

After dealing with several injuries this offseason, including the season-ending loss to the program’s starting left tackle Charles Jagusah, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman knows that the “next man up” mentality is mandatory. However, Elko knows that despite the youth, he knows that talent across the Irish O-line won’t be lacking.

“Notre Dame has recruited the offensive line really, really well for a really, really long time.”

“The six starts maybe is a concern for them to some degree, maybe in the opener, but I’m sure these young kids that they’re putting out there are really talented.”

On paper, this looks like a huge advantage for Texas A&M’s defensive line, which will likely rotate throughout the night to preserve starting defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart while starting defensive tackle Shemar Turner will also face a favorable one-on-one matchup.

Another name to watch is former Bowling Green pass rusher Cashius Howell, who will start at the Jack position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker based on the defense being called.

During his final season with the Falcons, Howell racked up 9.5 sacks. Together with Scourton, Turner, and Stewart, he accounted for 27 sacks last season.

Set to face Nic Scourton on the left side, Freeman announced that freshman Anthonie Knapp will start at left tackle for the Irish.

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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Senior DL Shemar Turner featured in our Texas A&M Countdown to Kickoff

Senior DL Shemar Turner comes in at No. 5 in our countdown to the 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame

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. Coming in at No. 6 on our list, senior defensive lineman Shemar Turner, who will permanently move inside after playing defensive end last season, looks to set the tone of the Aggie defense this fall.

Playing like the best defender on the roster for half the year, tied with current Green Bay Packer LB Edgerrin Cooper, Turner ended the year with 33 tackles, six sacks, and ten tackles for loss. He consistently played with a high motor while setting an edge and stopping the run at a high rate, making his offseason move to defensive tackle a no-brainer.

Adding more size while working with new S&C coach Tommy Moffitt, Turner’s summer appearance at SEC Media Days showed a player that didn’t look close to his now 6-4, 300-pound frame, meaning more muscle was gained than fat.

Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Turner (5) rushes South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the second half at Kyle Field. Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

A proven leader, the new faces across the Aggie D-line will depend on his leadership to get through the season, especially SEC play, knowing that the rest of the defense can count on Turner to provide interior pressure and allow the likes of defensive end Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart to collapse the pocket.

Texas A&M’s 2024 defensive line looks like an elite unit on paper, and Shemar Turner will undoubtedly be a big part of this group’s success.

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‘He will play alot’ DL Cashius Howell looks like Texas A&M’s secret weapon

Junior DL Cashius Howell quietly recorded 9.5 sacks during his final season with Bowling Green

Reliable pass rushers are in high demand at every level of football.

As college football offenses become more pass-dominant, being able to deploy athletes off the edge or in twists/stunts provides a huge advantage, especially in the SEC.

As Texas A&M’s 2024 season begins next Saturday, the Aggies will host No. 7 Notre Dame inside what could be a sold-out Kyle Field, which will also serve as Mike Elko’s inaugural season head coach after serving in the same capacity with the Duke Blue Devils are the past two seasons.

Inheriting a talented roster, including a loaded defensive line, Elko utilized the transfer portal this offseason, landing commitments from former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten in sacks (10) last season, and former Bowling Green defensive lineman Cashius Howell, who recorded 9.5 sacks in 2023.

While Scourton certainly brings immediate NFL-level strength and production to the line, first-year defensive coordinator Jay Bateman spoke about Howell’s potential impact this season due to his versatility in the trenches after an impressive fall camp.

“He is tremendous. He is a unique player and can do a lot of different things… He is a really important part of the defense, and he will play a ton. Glad to have him.”

Adding more weight to his frame this offseason, Howell now stands at 6-4 and 245 pounds. During his three seasons at Bowling Green, Howell recorded 56 tackles, 27 solo tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

Right now, Howell will likely rotate in as a backup defensive end behind Nic Scourton, with the ability to move inside if needed.

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20 Aggies named to the 2024 Senior Bowl watchlist

20 Texas A&M football players were recently named to the 2024 Senior Bowl watchlist

Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame is just a week away. The Mike Elko era will officially begin after an eventful offseason of building his coaching staff and roster.

Unlike most new head coaches, the former Aggie defensive coordinator isn’t starting from scratch. He helped recruit a handful of the current veterans on the 2024 roster before departing for his two-year head coaching stint at Duke.

Equipped with plenty of talent and experience, led by redshirt sophomore starting quarterback Conner Weigman, it has revealed that 20 current offensive and defensive starters/reserves have been named to the 2024 Senior Bowl watchlist.

Held in Mobile, Alabama, on an annual basis, the Senior Bowl provides another opportunity for veteran collegiate players to prove their worth to NFL scouts ahead of each NFL draft. For Texas A&M, the player list is composed of original recruits and transfer portal players:

  • WR Jabre Barber
  • K Randy Bond
  • DL Josh Celiscar
  • CB Tyreek Chappell
  • LB Solomon DeSheilds
  • CB Jaydon Hill
  • CB BJ Mayes
  • TE Garrett Miller
  • WR Moose Muhammad III
  • OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams
  • DL Albert Regis
  • DL Nic Scourton
  • RB E.J. Smith
  • DL Shemar Stewart
  • WR Noah Thomas
  • DL Shemar Turner
  • TE Tre Watson
  • QB Conner Weigman
  • LB Scooby Williams
  • LT Trey Zuhn III

Texas A&M will host Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on ABC.

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Watch Texas A&M’s recent practice hype video as the 2024 season opener nears

It’s time to get excited as Texas A&M is just seven days away from kicking off the 2024 season vs. Notre Dame

Over the past twenty-plus Texas A&M football seasons, ‘hope’ has been the program’s nemesis. The disappointment of October, with its consistently middling finishes, has left the fan base yearning for change and improvement.

However, after six underwhelming seasons under former head coach Jimbo Fisher, the Mike Elko era has come to College Station. The former A&M defensive coordinator has returned to the program after a successful two-year stint as Duke’s head coach.

Inheriting a talented roster chock-full of experience at every position, the No. 20-ranked Aggies will kick off the 2024 season with a prime-time showdown vs. No. 7 Notre Dame inside what could be a sold-out Kyle Field. After a successful fall practice slate, the offensive and defensive depth charts are set outside several position battles on the O-line secondary.

Looking to set the tone on the ground, new offensive coordinator Collin Klein brings in a tight end-centric, motion-heavy scheme that is poised to revolutionize the team’s play.

This innovative strategy should readily open up holes in the run game, allowing starting quarterback Conner Weigman to showcase his accuracy and quick release and move the ball down the field with a balanced attack. This is a promising start for the upcoming season.

Defensively, A&M’s D-line is littered with future NFL starting talent, led by former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton, junior DE Shemar Stewart, and senior defensive lineman Shemar Turner. Texas A&M’s revamped secondary is built to improve significantly from last season.

After last week’s practice, Texas A&M’s talented media team released another fun “hype” video played to the song “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana, which is fitting, to say the least.

Texas A&M will host Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on ABC.

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Junior DE Shemar Stewart featured in our Texas A&M Countdown to Kickoff

Junior DE Shemar Stewart comes in at No. 8 in our countdown to the 2024 season opener

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. Coming in at No. 8 on the list, junior defensive end Shemar Stewart is primed to finally break out after two seasons with the program, especially under the guidance of Elko and new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.

During his final year under former D-coordinator D.J. Durkin, Stewart, who was misused as a pass rusher, only recorded 11 tackles, five solo tackles, and 1.5 sacks. However, Stewart is determined to finish the job once he reaches the backfield, as the junior added more mass this offseason to his now intimidating 6-6, 290-pound frame.

Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

With the addition of former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten in sacks (10) last season, Stewart’s lofty goal of double-digit sacks isn’t far-fetched when accounting for his supporting cast. During the start of fall practice, Jay Bateman had this to say regarding Stewart’s immense potential:

“I told a scout, ‘If you gave me and you two hours in the lab creating a player, it would look like Shemar Stewart.'”

“I think you will see a problem. If I am an OC, I want to know where that guy is.”

How Elko and Bateman will deploy Stewart along the defensive line will be answered once SEC play begins. The A&M’s D-line will likely rotate throughout the season to keep Stewart and Scourton fresh for third-down pass rush opportunities.

Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Florida out of the 2022 recruiting class, Stewart’s strong hands and impressive athleticism at his size make him a tough matchup for any offensive lineman that crosses his path in 2024.

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