Fall Camp Preview: Linebackers
Will Johnson, 12th Man Productions
The outlook for the Aggie linebacker room appears to have brightened by the day. Take a couple of veterans, mix with some youngsters, and it’s coming together quite well.
Those veterans? Edgerrin Cooper and Chris Russell Jr. Cooper has played in every game since the start of the 2020 season, 33 in all. He started much of last season. Russell Jr. has played in 44 contests since arriving at A&M in 2019 and started all 12 a year ago.
They’ve played together before and have earned each other’s trust.
“I know Edgerrin’s gonna make a play every time if I’m not there,” Russell Jr. states with a smile. “He comes to work. It’s a great feeling playing beside him. He’s becoming a natural leader. I’m proud of him for that.”
Between Cooper and Russell Jr. there’s over 200 career tackles to start with among the linebackers.
They’ll need depth behind them…and it certainly is developing. Martrell Harris is inbetween the newcomers and veterans. He doesn’t have the number of reps as Cooper and Russell Jr., but he’s not void of experience in an A&M uniform either. In 2022 he appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman.
Then there’s the true incoming talent. One? A transfer. Two others? From the high school ranks.
The transfer comes from Jackson State in the form of Jurriente Davis. He registered 58 tackles last season for the Tigers, and his addition adds intrigue to the position.
Out of high school, Daymion Sanford (Katy Paetow) and Taurean York (Temple) have already made their presence felt. They both had excellent springs and have continued that progress through August.
“I’ve been very happy with those young linebackers, getting lined up, calls, and learning,” expressed Jimbo Fisher during preseason camp.
Trust is a key word at any position unit. It’s no different at linebacker. No matter what rotation is used there has to be belief throughout the unit the job is going to get done.
“I feel comfortable with them going out there,” Russell Jr. says in reference to the younger backers. “They’re going to be well prepared.”
And helping with the prep is a tweak on the coaching staff.
Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin now handles the linebackers. Russell Jr. says it’s like getting ‘first hand knowledge’ when it comes straight from the DC.
Also assisting is a stout defensive line group that will occupy blocks and allow these linebackers to flow freely.
Initially there may have been questions concerning what this group has behind the two veterans. But the newcomers are showing this position goes deeper than at first glance.
Cooper and Russell Jr. are mainstays, but the younger guys are proving they are well on their way to the same status.
