Fall Camp Preview: Defensive Backs
Will Johnson, 12th Man Productions
There are bodies galore in a secondary that runs deep in Aggieland.
So good luck throwing the deep ball against this crew.
In fact, that’s where A&M DBs excelled in 2022. They rarely allowed the opposition an explosive pass play—giving up the fewest amount of pass plays of 10 or more yards in country. The same goes for pass plays of 30 or more yards, the fewest nationally allowed.
Even going by yards per attempt, the Aggies were still top five in the nation.
This group was steady, solid and sound, and that’s the perfect launching point for 2023.
Demani Richardson will be asked to lead the group. No one on the A&M roster has more experience than the Senior from Waxahachie. He teams up at safety with Bryce Anderson to form quite the tandem. Anderson was excellent in his first season of college football and looks to make another leap this year.
There are plenty other safeties that have seen the field as well. Jardin Gilbert, Jarred Kerr and Jacoby Mathews all have gameday experience. When discussing this group it can’t be forgotten that Bobby Taylor is ready to play after sitting out due to injury in 2022. Additionally, Jimbo Fisher thinks something’s brewing in Shiner native Dalton Brooks…the true freshman is turning heads.
The corners run deep as well. Tyreek Chappell backed up an All-Freshman campaign with a solid sophomore season. There’s intrigue along with him.
The group welcomes three transfers, all coming from ACC schools. Josh DeBerry was once all-conference for Boston College. Tony Grimes actually played against the Aggies in the 2021 Orange Bowl when he was at North Carolina. And Sam McCall is in from Florida State.
How will they all fit in on the back end? How will they make the jump to the SEC?
“Doing really well, picking up schemes well, competing well,” says Jimbo Fisher on the ACC trio. “Giving us not only depth but battling for jobs and playing time. All three guys are doing a very good job.”
In the case of DeBerry and Grimes, they’re veterans. They have plenty of experience, but know their college time is short.
“A hunger,” claims Fisher. “Those guys are at the end of their careers. There’s an urgency when you get to the end to do it right. That raises your level of play.”
The list of capable corners doesn’t stop yet. Deuce Harmon is also a veteran of the program. Jayvon Thomas, the South Oak Cliff product, is getting early attention as a true freshman.
There’s depth. It’s needed because as many as six defensive backs could be on the field at times.
Yes, steady, solid and sound has been this group’s theme. Now, they need to add stingy to it. They don’t give up much, but they’ll need to take more away from opposing offenses in 2023.
A year ago the Aggies only intercepted four passes. Michigan State was the only team on the FBS level to have fewer pickoffs. It’s the next step for an already quality defensive backfield.
The bottom line? These guys are good. They can play. And, for good reason, much is expected of the unit this season. They’ll be hard to throw on. Now, if they can just get their own hands on few more passes and take it away a few more times, they could transition to elite status.
