A high ceiling but still with many unknowns
Our position preview rolls on, and today we dive into one of the more intriguing groups on the Texas A&M roster: cornerbacks. The Aggie secondary struggled in big games last season, but by returning several key players and bringing in A TON of new talent via the portal and high school ranks, this could be the most improved unit on the team in 2024. Let’s dive in.
Who did we lose?
- Josh DeBerry (graduation): While DeBerry did struggle at times in 2023 (playing a bit out of position at corner), he start 7 games for the Aggies. He finished with 39 tackles, 7 pass breakups and 2 interceptions.
- Deuce Harmon (graduation): Harmon started 6 games at corner and like DeBerry, had 7 pass breakups to go along with 18 tackles.
- Sam McCall (portal): The FSU transfer played mostly on special teams but also saw time at corner (started against Ole Miss). He tallied 6 tackles on the season and is now at Georgia State.
- Bryce Anderson (kinda): Anderson is still with the team, but has moved back to safety after spending last season at nickel. So not a loss as far as the secondary as a whole is concerned, but is one for the cornerback group specifically.
Who do we bring back?
- Tyreek Chappell: Chappell has started each of the past three seasons in Aggieland, and after a brief stint in the transfer portal, is back for his senior season. He’s the unquestioned veteran of the unit, and while no starting spot is guaranteed, it’s hard to imagine him not playing a prominent role.
- Jayvon Thomas/Bravion Rogers: I combined the entry for Thomas and Rogers because ultimately the story on both is quite similar. Each was a blue chip recruit in 2023 class who made just one start in 2023 (Thomas against Ole Miss, Rogers in the Texas Bowl). Both had some up and down play, which is to be expected for freshmen, but both have the potential to make a big jump in year two and play their way onto the field more regularly.
What other names should we know?
- SO MANY TRANSFERS!: It really is incredible what a loaded transfer portal group Texas A&M amassed at the corner position. It includes Florida’s Jaydon Hill, Alabama’s Dezz Ricks, Kansas State’s Will Lee, Cal Poly’s Donovan Saunders and UAB’s BJ Mayes. It’s what gives this group such a high ceiling, but also makes it such an unknown. Having this many guys makes you think they’ll find some big contributors, but it’s difficult to know which combination it will be.
- Terry Bussey: It’s hard to overstate how big of a recruiting win it was for Mike Elko and his staff to keep Bussey in the 2024 A&M class. The fives-star Timpson athlete played all over the field in high school, but projected best at corner at the college level. It’s why, even though A&M is seemingly thin at WR and deep at CB, the Aggies seem intent on keeping him on defense. He’s only a freshman, but his skill set is one that not many other players possess (not only on this team, but nationally). It would be a surprise if he starts right away, but there’s a good chance he finds his way into the rotation as the season wears on.
Overall Grade: B
I am high on this group, and part of me wanted to give them an A. But on principle, I can’t hand out an A to a unit that struggled so mightily a year ago and has so many unknowns heading into the year. Granted, this is a new coaching staff with many many new players, so last year may not be particularly applicable, and we may look back on this grade and find it silly by season’s end.
I certainly hope that’s the case, because if the A&M has an above average secondary to pair with their defensive line, this could prove to be one of the better defenses in college football in 2024.
Check out our other position previews to get you prepped for the 2024 season: