Texas A&M’s football roster in the beginning stages of the offseason has already dealt with significant attrition, as more than a dozen players have entered the transfer portal. At the same time, several 2024 commits have either flipped or de-committed this month.
Three veteran players have also declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, including wide receiver Ainias Smith, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, and offensive lineman Layden Robinson.
Still, great news made its way to social media on Monday night, as stand-out sophomore safety Bryce Anderson announced that he will return for the 2024 season amid recent false rumors (his Twitter was hacked) regarding his potential entry into the portal. Through Texas A&M’s official NIL (Name, Image Likeness) partner “Texas United,” Anderson was tagged in a post, simply stating, “Staying in Aggieland.”
đź‘Ťđź‘Ťđź‘Ť @BryceAnderson_1 pic.twitter.com/Ihr4PknYdu
— Texas Aggies United (@TXAggiesUnited) December 12, 2023
Bryce Anderson’s ascendance up the depth chart slowly gained traction during his 2022 freshman season, as the former high school quarterback immediately converted to safety due to his speed, instincts, and efficient tackling in the open field, recording 28 tackles, 16 solo tackles, and 3.5 tackles for loss in 11 games.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin began utilizing Anderson off the edge in blitz packages this season, leading to an uptick in tackles for loss (7) while finishing fourth in tackles with 47, three QB hits, 1.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and an interception on the year.
Bryce Anderson’s importance to the defense can’t be described just with statistics. Still, as McKinnley Jackson and safety Demani Richardson depart, Anderson will take on a more prominent leadership role in the locker room next season among a roster with many new faces.
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