This week, PFF writer Max Chadwick is one of the more accurate list makers in the world of college football analysis, especially his wide array of preseason Top 10 position group lists released this summer.
In terms of Texas A&M’s representation within said lists, Chadwick has been more than fair, specifically ranking the Aggies’ wide receivers and offensive line among the Top 10 position groups going into the 2023 season, yet his most recent list, ranking the Top 10 defensive lines ahead of the 2023 campaign, completely disregarded the Aggies most talented and experienced postion group on the depth chart has to offer.
So, who apparently trumps the Maroon and White’s elite starting unit and quality depth? That would be, 1. Georgia 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan 4. Illinois. 5. Florida State. 6. LSU. 7. Alabama. 8. UCLA. 9. Miami. 10. Penn State.
Are you still confused? You’re not alone; outside of the Georgia Bulldogs, who continue to reload in the trenches year after year, half of the teams listed are from the Big 10 who live and breathe D-line development, so there are no disagreements. However, placing two ACC teams (Miami, Florida State) and UCLA out of the Pac-12 over a proven SEC squad is choosing hype over pedigree.
Overall, The Aggies’ defensive line has no shortage of returning four and five-star talent that immediately jumps off the page, led by senior nose tackle McKinnley Jackson, who’s back after being named defensive MVP for the Aggies in 2022, while former five-star recruit and defensive end Shemar Turner is back after having started in 11 games in 2022, tallying 32 tackles, including 4.5 for loss last season.
Rounding out the starting unit, the former five-star prospects continue to pile up, as defensive tackle Walter Nolen likely earned the starting 3-tech job after earning the Defensive Top Newcomer award last season, Edge Fadil Diggs returns after being the Aggies’ best pass rusher last year, recording three sacks and five tackles for loss before his season-ending due to injury just eight games into the season.
From a depth perspective, senior Isaiah Raikes, redshirt junior Albert Regis, sophomores LT Overton, Enai White, and Malick Sylla, redshirt freshman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy finish out the rotation, 2023 five-star true freshman D.J. Hicks may end up being the most impactful rotational player on the roster.
With only two departures to the transfer portal this offseason (Tunmise Adeleye to Michigan State, Anthony Lucas to USC), continuity after what was a trial-by-fire 2022 campaign for the younger members of the D-line, the sky is the limit for I guess you can now call the most underrated defensive line entering the 2023 season.
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