Spring soccer for Texas A&M is nicely underway, which implies it’s each fan’s obligation to parse by way of the depth chart forward of what is going to be an necessary 2023 season. Fortunately, we’ve bought you lined by breaking down every positional battle, and up subsequent is looking at a significant piece of the protection within the linebacker group.
Final 12 months’s efficiency from the group may be summed up in just some phrases: a lot to be desired. To their credit score, a mix of accidents and poor efficiency from the inside meant that opposing defenses very a lot had their means when attacking the second degree. Enjoying a 3-2-6 didn’t make issues any simpler as they did not stunt opponents up entrance or blitz again seven defenders.
General it was a tricky season for the unit, whether or not because of their very own particular person efficiency or an element of enjoying in an inconsistent scheme. The Maroon and White, largely, have two skilled backers within the fold for 2023, which implies subsequent season would be the story of reloading and rebounding from 2022.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out how the present linebacker group is shaping up for the Aggies:
- MLB Senior Chris Russell Jr. (12 video games, 66 whole tackles, 1 compelled fumble, 1 defensive landing)
- WLB Redshirt junior Edgerrin Cooper (11 video games, 61 whole tackles, 1 compelled fumble, 1 fumble restoration, 5 cross breakups)
- WLB Sophomore Martrell Harris Jr. (12 video games, 7 whole tackles, 1 compelled fumble)
- Freshman Taurean York
- Freshman Daymion Sanford
- Freshman Chantz Johnson
There’s no uncertainty round who would be the starters for this unit come fall. The reigns are within the arms of Cooper and Russell, and the Aggies have a probably athletic playmaker in Harris backing these two up. However as we noticed final season, poor efficiency and an absence of depth, largely attributable to accidents, is likely one of the many points that plagued this crew. That assertion rings true for the protection and this unit particularly.
Freshman Taurean York has flashed his upside in spring camp, however he’s a first-year nonetheless and because the Aggie devoted witnessed final season, throwing in your true freshmen into the fireplace will undoubtedly lead to some rising pains. So, the place does A&M go from right here in addressing these points?
We’ll possible discover out come April 15, which is when the faculty soccer switch window is ready to re-open. Jimbo Fisher and the teaching workers ought to be notably energetic in bolstering their roster depth on the defensive facet of the ball, and the linebacker unit is not any exception.
Whereas the starters look promising on paper and thru spring camp, this coming season is just too important for the Maroon and White to go off the hope that accidents don’t creep up as soon as extra in 2023.
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