The one-two punch of Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines III at the linebacker position returns in 2020. Johnson led the defense in his first year as a starter with 77 tackles a season ago, adding 9.5 tackles for loss, which was good for third on the team. The rising senior served as a team captain for nine of A&M’s 13 games in 2019. After seeing the field in 12 games in each of his first two seasons, Johnson played in and started all 13 contests as a junior. Hines made an impactful return from injury in 2019, after being forced to miss his true sophomore season due to injury. The 2017 Freshman All-SEC Team honoree picked up right where he left off. Hines started all 13 games as a sophomore and was second on the team with 73 tackles. He leads all returning defensive players with 10.5 tackles for loss last season.Â
A&M saw Aaron Hansford and Andre White Jr. make their debuts on defense in 2019, after Hansford made the move to the defensive side of the ball in his third year on the field and White began his college career. The duo tallied 15 tackles and 2.0 sacks apiece on the year. Hansford played in all 13 games, earning the start at LSU, while White saw the field in 11 games.Â
