AUGUST OUTLOOK
This group is expected to be a strength. With two high-quality safeties, and lengthy corners, the ceiling is high on the back end. Like most spots on the A&M defense, the top-line players can compete with anyone in the country. If quality depth arises, the secondary will be tough to crack in 2018.
ONE LAST CHANCE, ONE MORE TIME
He was ready for a stellar senior season. He'd prepared. It was his year. Then it was taken away from safety Donovan Wilson in the first half of the opening game. A foot injury cost him his swan song. But, a medical redshirt has given it back to him. His final campaign comes in 2018.
Wilson has always fought for it. He wasn't highly recruited at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. "There's a lot of people who slept on me," he says of his recruiting process. The chip has remained on his shoulder ever since.
As a collegiate, the injury was more painful mentally than physically. "That was one of the worst things. Knowing it was my last year, and I had it right in front of me," he recalls of 2017. He wrestled through it, and found a renewed sense of purpose – as a leader.
"I'm trying to guide my players in the right direction," he said during summer workouts. He's taken charge of the defensive backs. They'll look to him as their rock. The strength he's displayed overcoming a light recruitment in high school, and missing a season due to injury in college, has made him just that.
"I know everything happens for a reason," states Wilson. That's prophetic. Because it's very possible he'll be better in 2018, than he would've been in '17.
TUCKED AWAY
Wilson will get some headlines, and is the proven leader of the secondary. But, don't forget about Derrick Tucker. He'll man the other safety spot, and packs every bit the punch his counterpart does.
The way Tucker closed his freshman year may mean he'll require some of the spotlight. He made 55 tackles as a freshman, 36 of those came in the final three games. His November 18th effort at Ole Miss started the stretch. He had 14 tackles, two pass breakups and forced a fumble in Oxford. For good measure, Tucker notched an interception and returned it for a touchdown. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week the following Monday.
It's apparent the game slowed down for Tucker late in 2017, putting him on the fast track towards success as a sophomore.
Also at safety, expect to see incoming freshman Leon O'Neal Jr. Jimbo Fisher has been very complimentary of the Cy Springs High School product's play since his arrival.
STANDING TALL
The Aggies will feature some height at corner. Charles Oliver stands 6' 2", as does Debione Renfro. Myles Jones ups the advantage with his 6' 4" frame. Above them all is Clifford Chatman at 6' 5".
These guys will be expected to compete for jump balls, and win more than their share. All have experience, just not a wealth of it.
Speaking of experience, there are twelve Aggie defensive backs on the roster that have already seen game action in college. So, the group, as a whole, has gone through some things and gained some knowledge. If they can pick up on what Mike Elko is trying to do early, they'll become the strength they're expected to be.
This group is expected to be a strength. With two high-quality safeties, and lengthy corners, the ceiling is high on the back end. Like most spots on the A&M defense, the top-line players can compete with anyone in the country. If quality depth arises, the secondary will be tough to crack in 2018.
ONE LAST CHANCE, ONE MORE TIME
He was ready for a stellar senior season. He'd prepared. It was his year. Then it was taken away from safety Donovan Wilson in the first half of the opening game. A foot injury cost him his swan song. But, a medical redshirt has given it back to him. His final campaign comes in 2018.
Wilson has always fought for it. He wasn't highly recruited at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. "There's a lot of people who slept on me," he says of his recruiting process. The chip has remained on his shoulder ever since.
As a collegiate, the injury was more painful mentally than physically. "That was one of the worst things. Knowing it was my last year, and I had it right in front of me," he recalls of 2017. He wrestled through it, and found a renewed sense of purpose – as a leader.
"I'm trying to guide my players in the right direction," he said during summer workouts. He's taken charge of the defensive backs. They'll look to him as their rock. The strength he's displayed overcoming a light recruitment in high school, and missing a season due to injury in college, has made him just that.
"I know everything happens for a reason," states Wilson. That's prophetic. Because it's very possible he'll be better in 2018, than he would've been in '17.
TUCKED AWAY
Wilson will get some headlines, and is the proven leader of the secondary. But, don't forget about Derrick Tucker. He'll man the other safety spot, and packs every bit the punch his counterpart does.
The way Tucker closed his freshman year may mean he'll require some of the spotlight. He made 55 tackles as a freshman, 36 of those came in the final three games. His November 18th effort at Ole Miss started the stretch. He had 14 tackles, two pass breakups and forced a fumble in Oxford. For good measure, Tucker notched an interception and returned it for a touchdown. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week the following Monday.
It's apparent the game slowed down for Tucker late in 2017, putting him on the fast track towards success as a sophomore.
Also at safety, expect to see incoming freshman Leon O'Neal Jr. Jimbo Fisher has been very complimentary of the Cy Springs High School product's play since his arrival.
STANDING TALL
The Aggies will feature some height at corner. Charles Oliver stands 6' 2", as does Debione Renfro. Myles Jones ups the advantage with his 6' 4" frame. Above them all is Clifford Chatman at 6' 5".
These guys will be expected to compete for jump balls, and win more than their share. All have experience, just not a wealth of it.
Speaking of experience, there are twelve Aggie defensive backs on the roster that have already seen game action in college. So, the group, as a whole, has gone through some things and gained some knowledge. If they can pick up on what Mike Elko is trying to do early, they'll become the strength they're expected to be.