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Texas A&M: How Defense Can Turn The Corner In ’15

By Christian Blood

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The Texas A&M defense has to become a bigger strength than it was is 2014, and a dominant pass rush is how the Aggies will get it done.

There’s no question that Texas A&M could roll up points last season, They were about as good in the yardage department as well. Racking up 325.9 yards per game is a good output, until you factor in the 369.4 yards that the defense allowed.

That has to change, and I think that it will.

Fourth-year head coach Kevin Sumlin has had quite a ride with the Aggies thus far, a fact proven by his 28-11 record at College Station. Offense has not been lacking, but 2014 was definitely a wake-up call.

This explains Sumlin’s aggressive pursuit of former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.

Nicknamed “The Chief,” Chavis fielded some very good defenses with the Tigers program and also launched several players into the NFL. Among those high-profile names include cornerbacks Morris Claiborne of the Dallas Cowboys and Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals, defensive end Sam Montgomery of the Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker Barkevious Mingo of the Cleveland Browns and defensive tackles Bennie Logan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Ego Ferguson of the Chicago Bears – and there’s more still.

Yes, Chavis had an NFL defensive manufacturing plant going on at LSU and the question is whether or not he bring that kind of productivity to the Aggies.

Taking on the role of linebacker coach as well, Chavis will be charged with maximizing a linebacker unit that really fell on hard times a year ago.

The return of junior outside linebacker A.J. Hilliard, injured in the season ’14 opener against South Carolina, will be a sight for sore eyes, even Chavis wasn’t around for that setback. The transfer from TCU gives Chavis something to work with for sure.

Sophomore outside linebacker Otaro Alaka might be the best ingredient in Chavis new kitchen. His 33 tackles, along with 3.5 tackles for a loss, a year ago should be numbers that increase under “The Chief.”

The secondary was extremely shaky last year and I only know of one way this part of the defense survives the 2015 campaign – more on that in a minute.

Senior cornerback DeVante Harris is poised for a big season, especially when you factor in his experience. But playing opposite him might very well be senior running back-turned cornerback Brandon Williams, a 6’0” and 200 pound defensive back who’s changing positions awfully late during his Texas A&M tenure. Chavis could end up a miracle worker if this move pans out.

Of course, it all starts upfront when you’re talking about stout defenses that can get you into the SEC Championship in Atlanta later this year.

The defensive end combination of sophomore Myles Garrett and junior Daeshon Hall could be the ace up Chavis’ sleeve.

Garrett stands 6’5” and weighs around 260 and had a monster season for the Aggies last year. His team-leading 11.5 sacks, 14.0 tackles for a loss and additional nine quarterback hurries took everybody by surprise. True, the rest of the SEC West will see him coming this time around, but I don’t think many will have a clue as to what to do with him.

This opens the door for Hall, a 6’6” and 260 pound counterpart whose numbers weren’t nearly as impressive last season, but he is a junior who looks ready to also crack double-digit sack totals this season.

The defense can’t do it all by themselves, and the potential quarterback controversy between sophomore starter Kyle Allen and freshman Kyler Murray could keep Chavis’ crew on the field and trailing more often than expected.

But if the offense takes another step or two forward this season, the defense should have the tools and direction, if healthy, to help Texas A&M contend this season and finish with a record far better than last season’s mark of 8-5 (3-5 SEC).

Next: Rangers: Andrus and Choo Turning the Tide

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