Coming into the 2024 season, Texas A&M’s linebacker rotation looked susceptible due to a lack of depth and overall talent after the Green Bay Packers drafted star Edgerrin Cooper in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 2024 linebacker unit would always be led by sophomore Taurean York, who started nearly every game for the Aggies during his memorable 2023 freshman campaign. However, York needed help, especially in pass coverage, an area he struggled with.
Under new head coach Mike Elko and new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, both coaches utilized the transfer portal at nearly every position, including linebacker. They landed commitments from former Pitt LB Solomon DeShields and former Florida backer Scooby Williams, whom Bateman coached during his final season as Florida’s LB coach.
However, while DeShields looked more polished, Williams struggled during his 2023 sophomore campaign. He looked lost on several plays and failed to fully utilize his size, strength, and athleticism to make tackles in space.
After earning the second starting spot opposite Taurean York, Scooby Williams has ascended, coming off one of the best games of his career after recording six tackles, two tackles for loss, and his first collegiate interception in last Saturday’s win over Mississippi State.
Williams is currently fourth on the team with 26 tackles. According to Rivals, he has been acknowledged as one of the best transfer portal additions this season, and he placed the junior among 11 fellow stand-out transfers in their defensive midseason All-American Team:
- DL Kyle Kennard — South Carolina
- DL Walter Nolen — Ole Miss
- DL Derrick Harmon — Oregon
- DL Bradyn Swinson — LSU
- LB Chris Paul Jr. — Ole Miss
- LB Scooby Williams — Texas A&M
- LB Teddy Buchanan — Cal
- DB/WR Travis Hunter — Colorado
- DB Caleb Downs — Ohio State
- DB Andrew Mukuba — Texas
- DB A.J. Harris — Penn State
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