Aggie 2015 Preview - The Defense

Now the table is set – new coaches to address the issues that developed in the Aggies’ three years, combined with the players available, give us the ability to evaluate the positions and see how things set up for the upcoming season. We will now break things down position by position going forward. Today is the Defense.

Defensive Units

As we at Farmers Fight are part of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1993, we are super excited about the changes on the defensive side of the ball. To say it has been painful to watch the defensive issue since the last truly great Wrecking Crew squads. While there have been moments of adequateness here and there, the top level talent, coaching and education that made those defensive units something special has been missing for some time.

But with the way this organization has recruited over the past few years, added to the way some returning players performed last year, and throwing in John Chavis to the coaching staff, there is reason to believe there could be a new Wrecking Crew on the horizon. How close this team can get there in 2015 remains to be seen, but it certainly has all the ingredients to get there.

Defensive Line

Myles Garrett is the big name here, but there is a lot of depth with this group and the coaching staff has shown in past years that they know how to get good production from what they have access to. Add in Daylon Mack when he can grow into the position, and you have the potential for a truly great unit.

Linebackers

Taking bits and pieces from last year, you have the makings of a good unit. The question is whether they can stay healthy and have the depth to survive an SEC season. The really good news is that this is the unit that John Chavis is responsible for, and that has to be a good thing. Reading some tea leaves, The Chief knows that his line is going to be strong and he has some good safeties. If he can help keep the linebackers from being a sieve, then the defense should definitely take some significant steps forward.

Cornerbacks

Here is the real weakness of the team, and this is one place where the scheme Chavis plays actually hurts as it puts the cornerback position on a bit of an island. Long term, this absolutely is the way to go, and there are ways to try to help the cornerbacks, but this season, there might be some real issues. Of course, it isn’t like we didn’t have issues last year.

Safety

A more mature (strong safety) and the addition of Justin Evans gives this unit a very solid starting lineup. This is another place where the Chavis scheme is going to benefit the defense as a whole. There is also some depth at this position too.

Defense Overall

When you put it all together, this is a unit that will be improved if for no other reason than Chavis gives his players a simpler assignment and lets them just get after it. Considering the athletes at his disposal, that ought to improve things in and of itself.

Add in Chavis’ overall attitude and experience will also give the defense a bump. The question is how far they can go, but the nice thing is anything beyond a basic improvement is bonus.

The other thing that really excites me about Chavis’ involvement and the overall improvement of the defense is that the offense will be practicing against a tougher unit, and the increase in intensity on the defense naturally will raise the intensity of the team as a whole.