Tag: Texas A&M

PFF shares their perfect draft prospect for the New Orleans Saints

Pro Football Focus has found who they believe is the perfect prospect for each NFL team in the 2025 NFL draft class, and their choice for the Saints is an edge rusher

The 2025 NFL offseason is getting closer by the day as the playoffs continue toward Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. With that, we also grow nearer to the 2025 NFL draft, where the New Orleans Saints hold the No. 9 overall pick and good trade leverage when it comes to other picks. There will always be speculation when it comes to who teams will draft, and often times they will likely not be right.

With that said, Pro Football Focus shared their predictions and analysis for who they believe is the best prospect for each team in the upcoming draft class. Their choice for the Saints is edge rusher Nic Scourton out of Texas A&M. Here’s the rationale provided for this pick:

“The Saints team pass-rush grade was 65.5 in 2024, which ranked 23rd. Chase Young led the team with 47 pressures on the year, followed by Carl Granderson and then the talented but aging star Cam Jordan.

While there is only one Cam Jordan, Nic Scourton could be an important piece in trying to replace Jordan in the aggregate. Jordan only played 564 snaps in 2024, but that was following 13 straight seasons of at least 770 snaps per year. Nic Scourton is a heavy-handed, big, strong defensive lineman who, at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, is almost the identical size as Jordan. While Jordan played predominantly on the left side during his career, Scourton has played over 500 snaps on both the left and right side of the Aggies defense over the last two years.”

When it comes to predictions, Scourton feels very similar to what the Saints look for at defensive end. Large body and frame with proven versatility at their position, solid but not elite production, and some element of potential that leaves room for development.

With Brian Young taking over many of the defensive line coaching duties previously, and a new head coaching hire incoming this season, we may see a complete staff overhaul which could be positive or negative pending who it is. Regardless, it gives Scourton and any other prospects a chance to come into something new and develop at a reasonable pace, which is positive for their careers.

Overall, the edge position has been difficult for the Saints in recent years, and if they are going to take one it needs to be someone they are sure is going to pan out. Scourton is solid no doubt, but there may be better options up at the No. 9 pick as well, so we will see how it plays out.

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Texas A&M men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams is ‘talking less than’ he ‘ever’ has before

“I’m talking less than I ever have in my career. I’m trying to give them more ownership. I ask more questions so it engages them to answer.”

Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams spoke about his new methods of leadership this week on the latest episode of the Aggie Basketball Hour.

“This year you only play three teams twice, so that’s different than five. With Oklahoma, there is our game study from before. They’re a different team than before the bye with how they use their pieces, but there is some familiarity,” Williams explained Monday. “Because they grew up in an era of looking at screens, our guys learn best by watching. Every day we work, we watch film. Tomorrow at 11:31 a.m., we’ll have film. The kids know what I’m going to talk about tomorrow.

“I’m talking less than I ever have in my career. I’m trying to give them more ownership. I ask more questions so it engages them to answer and let them talk about it. Our players are using more words. It creates continuity and belief.”

The No. 15 Aggies (15-5, 4-3 SEC) host Oklahoma (15-4, 2-4) at Reed Arena tonight at 8 p.m. on SEC Network.

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

‘On to the next,’ Texas A&M men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams reflects on close games

“From a statistical standpoint, this is the best league in the country. We’re +1 after 7 games. You want to keep it going,” Williams said.

While the Texas A&M men’s basketball team is attempting to bounce back from a buzzer beat loss at Texas this past weekend, head coach Buzz Williams is remaining positive.

Williams discussed the Aggies‘ nine close games on the latest episode of the Aggie Basketball Hour.

“We’ve played 15 games in Quad 1 and Quad 2, and nine of them have been decided by one or two possessions. We’re 6-3 so far in those close games. We need to handle the results the same way and move on to the next one,” Williams said Monday. “From a statistical standpoint, this is the best league in the country. We’re plus one after seven games. You want to keep it going, but how can you respond to the next thing? No matter who we play, it’s one or two possessions.

“We address things in real-time. I think our staff has done a phenomenal job. If 60% of your games have been decided by one or two possessions and you’re 6-3, that means you could easily have been 3-6.”

No. 15 Texas A&M (15-5, 4-3 SEC) hosts Oklahoma (15-4, 2-4) at Reed Arena tonight at 8 p.m. on SEC Network.

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

Bengals just hired away longtime Saints assistant coach in another lateral move

The Cincinnati Bengals announced they hired Michael Hodges away from the New Orleans Saints. The longtime linebackers coach made a lateral move:

Last one out, turn off the lights. The New Orleans Saints have lost a few coaches to lateral moves around the league as they continue to search for a new head coach, who will want to build their own staff — most notably losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Seattle Seahawks, where he’ll have the same position.

But here’s another departure. The Cincinnati Bengals announced Monday that they have hired longtime Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges for the same role on Zac Taylor’s staff. Hodges had been on staff with New Orleans since 2017, and he’s highly regarded around the league. It’s just a shame most of the linebackers he developed went on to play their best football somewhere else; guys like Alex Anzalone, Kaden Elliss, and of course Zack Baun.

Maybe the Bengals will do a better job retaining talent after Hodges has developed it. Whoever the Saints pick as head coach, he’ll now need to replace the offensive coordinator and the linebackers coach, but that was probably going to be the case anyway. These are just the first of many losses we should expect in the weeks ahead.

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Packers assistant coach will get up close look at potential first-round targets during Senior Bowl

Packers assistant Wendel Davis will get an up close look at some top prospects while coaching at the Senior Bowl.

Green Bay Packers defensive quality control coach Wendel Davis will lead the linebackers and edge rushers for the American Team during Senior Bowl practices throughout the week. It’s a group that includes a pair of players who could be targets for the Packers in the first round of the 2025 draft.

Let’s take a look at five players from this group that could be targets for Brian Gutekunst:

Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

The Purdue transfer recorded 14 tackles for loss, five sacks and 36 pressures during his lone season at College Station. Scourton is a powerful edge rusher, who may have the best spin move in this draft class. If Scourton is on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 23rd overall pick, it would not be shocking to hear his name get called.

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Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

The Texas A&M defensive lineman has a unique blend of power and speed. He’s listed at 6-6, 290 pounds and moves closer to a player built like Clay Matthews. Stewart would bring instance juice to Green Bay’s pass rush while providing a powerful presence against the run. If he’s still on the board when Green Bay is on the clock, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst add Stewart to the defensive line mix.

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Barryn Sorrell, Edge, Texas

A member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list, Sorrell is a well-put-together edge rusher. As a run defender, he snatches and tosses and sets a hard edge. The Texas edge rusher finished this past season with 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and 49 pressures.

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Shemar James, LB, Florida

James shows good range in pass coverage. He plays with the lateral athleticism to match up with tight ends in coverage. The Florida Gator linebacker shows good burst in pursuit.

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Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss

The Florida transfer has a quick first step and is a twitched-up edge rusher. He’d bring instant juice to Green Bay’s pass rush. He finished his lone season as a Rebel with 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 55 pressures. He’s not a dominant force against the run, but he has the functional strength to hold up on the edge.

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49ers a perfect landing spot for one of NFL draft’s youngest players

On the way to earning All-SEC first team honors, the Texas A&M pass rusher recorded five sacks during his only season in College Station.

As the draft season begins to heat up, a new rookie edge rusher prospect opposite of Nick Bosa has been a fairly popular choice in multiple mock drafts with the No. 11 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft,

Offensive line and defensive line have been popular candidates for the 49ers in mock drafts early in the offseason. In the latest mock draft from Pro Football Network, another standout pass-rushing prospect landed with the 49ers at No. 11.

At No. 11, Pro Football Network penned Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton to the 49ers. According to Dalton Miller of PFN, Scourton’s plan as a pass rusher is “artwork.”

Via PFN:

Nic Scourton isn’t perfect, but nobody else in this class possesses his blend of technical prowess, bend, size, and power. He’s playing too heavy right now, but losing the unnecessary weight he’s currently carrying on his frame should only make him more dangerous as an arc rusher.

Scourton’s pass-rush plan is artwork, and the suddenness and fluidity he already plays with at 280 is terrifying. He’ll be one of the youngest players in the class while already possessing nuance far beyond his years.

Scourton’s naturally thick lower half makes him a sturdy edge setter, and there’s a chance he’ll continue growing into his frame while building a more consistent power element to his game.

Read the full PFN 7-round mock draft here.

Following two seasons at Purdue, including a career-best 10-sack season in 2023 for the Boilermakers, Scourton transferred to College Station in 2024. Scourton thrived in the SEC, recording five sacks to go along with 37 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 12 games for the Aggies. Scourton earned All-SEC first-team honors before declaring for the 2025 NFL draft.

Scourton will just be turning 21 years old before the 2025 NFL season begins, giving the 49ers a young player with immense potential to develop across from Bosa in San Francisco’s pass rush.

The first round of the 2025 NFL draft will begin on Thursday, April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Buzz Williams is the best head coach that the Texas A&M men’s basketball team has ever had

Believe it or not, Buzz Williams is the best head coach that the Texas A&M men’s basketball program has ever had. For those who may be skeptics, the record books back up that bold proclamation, time and time again.

Believe it or not, Buzz Williams is the best head coach that the Texas A&M men’s basketball team has ever had.

For those who may be skeptics, the record books back up that bold proclamation, time and time again. The Aggies have five wins against ranked opponents this campaign, which is tied for the most in program history, according to ESPN.

In 37 seasons prior to Williams’ arrival in College Station, Texas A&M beat a ranked opponent on the road four times. Meanwhile, in the six seasons that Williams has been at the helm of the Aggies, Texas A&M has five.

The No. 13 Aggies (15-4, 4-2 SEC) notched their first ranked victory versus No. 21 Ohio State at Reed Arena on Nov. 15. The next two came at neutral sites: 77-73 vs. No. 21 Creighton in Las Vegas on Nov. 27 & 70-66 vs. No. 11 Purdue in Indianapolis on Dec. 14. Texas A&M has earned its latest two in conference play: 80-78 at No. 17 Oklahoma on Jan. 8 & 63-62 at No. 16 Ole Miss on Wednesday.

Like it or not, Buzz is the Greatest Of All Time.

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Aggies coach Buzz Williams believes the Moody Center is ‘arguably the best in the country’

“I have not been to the new arena. But just from watching their games, it looks like it is arguably the best in the country,” Williams said.

While the Texas A&M men’s basketball team may have beaten its bitter rivals by 20 points in the SEC opener, Aggies head coach Buzz Williams is well aware that Texas is a formidable foe this afternoon.

“They did a really good job of beating us in the things that we are deficient at. We will have to shore up a lot of that in order to have a chance there,” Williams explained Friday. “I have not been to that new arena. But just from watching their games, it looks like it is arguably the best in the country. Their roster is ultra-talented. They are playing with more efficiency over the last five games.”

After Texas A&M blew out the Longhorns three weeks ago, senior point guard Wade Taylor IV missed three games, before making his triumphant return last weekend against LSU.

“I do not think it was rust,” Williams said. “He is the top of the scouting report, whether he misses 10 days or not. That also influences everybody else. He has done a tremendous job of playing to that, and I anticipate that will continue.”

No. 13 Texas A&M (15-4, 4-2 SEC) plays Texas (13-6, 2-4) at the Moody Center today at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

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‘We’re all dogs,’ Senior guard Jace Carter is latest to join Texas A&M 1,000-point club

“You do not ever want to lose to your mirror opponent twice. They are coming with a little different attitude than they did the first game.”

After surpassing 1,000 career points Wednesday during a win at No. 16 Ole Miss, Texas A&M senior shooting guard Jace Carter brought two furry friends to media availability Friday afternoon.

He was accompanied by his two dogs: 3-year-old Layla, a pitbull & labrador mix, and Anella, a 4-month-old XL bully. Carter was asked about the challenge of playing a conference opponent for the second time ahead of a rematch versus Texas.

“They have familiarity with how you play. They know some of your tendencies compared to someone who is playing you for the first time,” Carter explained, “We beat them here, it is a rivalry game and you do not ever want to lose to your mirror opponent twice. They are coming with probably a little bit different attitude than they did the first game.

“We’re all dogs – literally.”

The No. 13 Aggies (15-4, 4-2 SEC) plays the Longhorns (13-6, 2-4) at the Moody Center today at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

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Coach Buzz Williams wants the Texas A&M men’s basketball team to ‘be a whole game team’

“I do not know that you can count on that per game,” Buzz said. “It sounds good if you are a second-half team. Let’s be a whole game team.”

The Texas A&M men’s basketball team has proven this season that it can mount a comeback.

However, head coach Buzz Williams doesn’t want the Aggies to become reliant on that strategy as March Madness quickly approaches.

“I do not know that you can count on that per game. You are playing from behind, and so many things have to go right – not just for you offensively. But so many things have to go right in special teams, in defense, offense,” Williams explained Friday. “It sounds good if you are a second-half team. Yeah, well, let’s be a whole game team.

“We are trying to do a better job in the first four minutes of the first half, and we are trying to do a better job in the last four minutes. It is like a football game. They say in the NFL, the middle-eight minutes. I taught that to our guys two years ago, and we brought it back to life a little bit more because to your point, it is fun if you win those games. But the litany of things that went wrong in the first half, it is too much in these games that we are playing to have to overcome repeatedly.”

No. 13 Texas A&M (15-4, 4-2 SEC) plays Texas (13-6, 2-4) at the Moody Center today at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

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