Tag: Taurean York

Texas A&M Football 2023 Position Preview: Linebackers; limited depth remains a question mark

Despite having two experienced starters, the Aggies’ linebacker depth remains a notable question mark heading into the 2023 season.

Texas A&M kicks off the 2023 college football season in just under two months, 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.

The Aggies’ linebacker depth was a substantial question mark heading into spring football, as a pair of returning starters headlines the group with minimal depth to account for behind them. A big addition through the transfer portal helps in the demand for depth, and their performance as a group will be key for the Maroon and White to improve in defending the run.

Returning production: Edgerrin Cooper returns for his senior season in College Station after appearing in 11 games with eight starts for the Aggies in 2022. He recorded 61 tackles, including eight for a loss, five pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished with a 66.1 overall defensive grade, including a 66.7 run defense grade, a 70.4 pass-rush grade, and a 59.7 coverage grade.

Cooper joins Chris Russell Jr. as the experienced leader of the linebacker unit. In 2022, Russell appeared in 12 games for the Aggies, recording 66 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown. As the Mike linebacker, he recorded a 63.9 overall defensive grade, including a 70.2 run defense grade, a 51.9 pass-rush grade, and a 58.5 coverage grade in 2022 per PFF.

Sophomore Martrell Harris Jr. rounds out the three returners from last year’s campaign, appearing in 12 games while recording seven total tackles and one forced fumble. With just 54 total snaps, he finished with a 64.4 overall defensive grade, a 60.7 run defense grade, and an 86.8 pass-rush grade, according to PFF.

Departures:  Notable linebacker departures from 2022 include Andre White Jr., Tarian Lee Jr., and Ish Harris. White recorded 35 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in seven games. Lee recorded nine tackles in eight games, while Harris did not see the field in 2022.

Final Observation: The starting reigns are in the hands of Cooper and Russell, and the Aggies have a potentially athletic playmaker in Harris backing those two up. In adding former Jackson State product Jurriente Davis through the transfer portal, Texas A&M has a player that thrives as an off-the-ball linebacker, primarily at the Will position in the Aggies’ 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

Freshman Taurean York has flashed his upside in spring camp, but he’s a first-year nonetheless, and as we witnessed last season, throwing him into the fire will result in growing pains.

While the starters look promising on paper, and the addition of Davis gives them some much-needed depth, all it takes is for one injury to impact this unit significantly. For a defense that hopes to improve from its 124th run defense ranking in 2022, the hope is that his unit can stay healthy and build rapport throughout the 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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

Aggies linebacker depth on the upside following spring game performance and key transfer addition

Following a promising spring game performance, the Aggies’ linebacker unit is beginning to flash its depth thanks to a key transfer portal addition.

Questions surrounded Texas A&M’s linebacker unit heading into their spring program, but after a promising performance in the Aggies’ exhibition game, alongside a big addition via the transfer portal, this position has a nice mix of talent to make an impact both now and into the future.

Heading into the Maroon and White spring game, Chris Russell Jr. and Edgerrin Cooper were handed the starting reigns for this unit and that same belief hasn’t changed. Both of these two bring much-needed experience to a position that was lacking depth through spring.

Russell is solid as the Mike linebacker, but he’s arguably better suited when playing on the move and blitzing the opposing quarterback. Cooper has excellent closing speed and can make plays in the open field. However, at 6-3 and 230 lbs, he’s not particularly imposing when it comes to his size, which means he could struggle when taking on bigger blockers.

Enter the true x-factor with the addition of Jurriente Davis, who was ranked as the No. 1 transfer portal LB out of Jackson State. While the Aggies have some very capable starters and promising youth for the future, this unit needed a splash via the transfer portal and they got one with Davis.

As we’ve covered here at Aggies Wire, Davis’s tape shows a player that thrives as an off-the-ball linebacker, primarily at the Will position in the Aggies’ 4-2-5 defensive scheme. He’s equipped to tackle what’s in front of him and provide a solid pass rush when needed thanks to his speed and downhill quickness.

Making the jump from FCS to FBS competition is a significant one, make no mistake about it, so the transition will be key to observe for Davis. I don’t think it’ll be a case of “baptism by fire” as Davis’ talent and experience should make the adjustment a smooth one.

While the trio of Russell, Cooper, and Davis shows promise for the Maroon and White in the near term, the Aggies also have a handful of bright prospects that should develop nicely in the future. Second-year Martrell Harris flashed his closing speed in the spring game, while first-year Daymion Sanford is a converted pass rusher who has length and can run.

Freshman Taurean York is a little undersized when it comes to mass (217 lbs for now), but he should easily bulk up in due time. Additionally, he has a nice grasp of the defense and he’s proven useful in coverage as one of the bright spots called out by the coaching staff during spring practice.

With still a few days left in the transfer portal it remains to be seen whether any more additions will be made to this unit. If not, then the Aggies have a promising group headlined by veterans that should make an impact this season, followed by some promising talent for the future.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Linebacker position breakdown

As spring football for the Aggies nears its end, we take a look at the linebacker group which is hoping for a rebound performance in 2023.

Spring football for Texas A&M is well underway, which means it’s every fan’s obligation to parse through the depth chart ahead of what will be an important 2023 season. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered by breaking down each positional battle, and up next is taking a look at a vital piece of the defense in the linebacker group.

Last year’s performance from the group can be summed up in just a few words: much to be desired. To their credit, a combination of injuries and poor performance from the interior meant that opposing defenses very much had their way when attacking the second level. Playing a 3-2-6 didn’t make things any easier as they failed to stunt opponents up front or blitz back seven defenders.

Overall it was a tough season for the unit, whether as a result of their own individual performance or a factor of playing in an inconsistent scheme. The Maroon and White, in large part, have two experienced backers in the fold for 2023, which means next season will be the tale of reloading and rebounding from 2022.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current linebacker group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

  • MLB Senior Chris Russell Jr. (12 games, 66 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 defensive touchdown)
  • WLB Redshirt junior Edgerrin Cooper (11 games, 61 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 5 pass breakups)
  • WLB Sophomore Martrell Harris Jr. (12 games, 7 total tackles, 1 forced fumble)

New additions

  • Freshman Taurean York
  • Freshman Daymion Sanford
  • Freshman Chantz Johnson

There’s no uncertainty around who will be the starters for this unit come fall. The reigns are in the hands of Cooper and Russell, and the Aggies have a potentially athletic playmaker in Harris backing those two up. But as we saw last season, poor performance and a lack of depth, in large part due to injuries, is one of the many issues that plagued this team. That statement rings true for the defense and this unit in particular.

Freshman Taurean York has flashed his upside in spring camp, but he’s a first-year nonetheless and as the Aggie faithful witnessed last season, throwing in your true freshmen into the fire will undoubtedly result in some growing pains. So, where does A&M go from here in addressing these issues?

We’ll likely find out come April 15, which is when the college football transfer window is set to re-open. Jimbo Fisher and the coaching staff should be particularly active in bolstering their roster depth on the defensive side of the ball, and the linebacker unit is no exception.

While the starters look promising on paper and through spring camp, this coming season is too significant for the Maroon and White to go off the hope that injuries don’t creep up once more in 2023.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

Texas A&M RB Amari Daniels and LB Taurean York honored as Academic Aggies

Running back Amari Daniels and linebacker Taurean York were honored for their work in the classroom this week as Academic Aggies.

Texas A&M may be in the midst of spring football and months away from the 2023 season, but it’s never a bad time to honor these players’ achievements off the field.

Running back Amari Daniels and linebacker Taurean York were spotlighted as Academic Aggies this week. The honor shines a light on the significance of committing to excellence not just on the field, but also in the classroom.

Daniels is a third-year running back for the Maroon and White, who is looking to contend for the starting backfield job in 2023. The junior has logged 56 carries for 319 yards and one rushing touchdown in two seasons at College Station.

York is a three-star freshman linebacker out of Temple that will look to carve out a key role as the Aggies’ defense hopes to take a leap in 2023. He’s also a three-time Texas District 12-6A Defensive MVP that also ran track in High School, sporting a 24.52 200 as a sophomore and a 12.02 100 as a freshman.

Check out the announcement below:

While it’s easy to get caught up on what happens on the field, it’s also key to remember there is more to what happens between the lines. It’s only right to applaud these players’ achievements in the classroom with as much enthusiasm as you would on the sideline.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=5]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]