Taurean York calls Kyle Field the 'hardest place to play in college football'

Every week, SEC players take the field in front of roaring crowds. However, Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York believes there’s no place like home. At the 2024 SEC Media Days, York explained why he believes Kyle Field is the best home environment in college football.

“I truly do feel like it’s the hardest place to play in college football,” York said. “The 12th Man is real, especially when they’re rocking. The atmosphere is there. It presents a challenge for myself as well, because obviously they’re going to be loud when the opposing offense is on the field and that means my defense is on the field.

“A lot of games, I lost my voice just trying to communicate to my teammates and the defensive players to call. It’s a special place to play, so I’m happy to be playing there.”

York got plenty of experience at Kyle Field in the 2023 campaign. As a freshman, York started all 13 games for the Aggies. He finished his debut season second on the team with 74 tackles, which was the third-most among all SEC freshmen.

With each tackle, Texas A&M’s fans rained down cheers on York. For his efforts, York was named an ESPN Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team selection. York isn’t the only one who believes Kyle Field is the most difficult place to play in college football.

“EA Sports College Football 25” ranked Kyle Field at No. 1 among its toughest places to play rankings. The game’s ranking of the toughest places to play factors in historical stats such as home winning percentage, home game attendance, active home winning streaks and team prestige.

Kyle Field has been the home of the Aggies since 1905 but underwent a $485 million redevelopment a decade ago, which expanded the field’s capacity to 102,733. Texas A&M fans, affectionately known as the 12th Man, fill every seat.

“The power of the 12th Man is demonstrated in the unity, loyalty and willingness of Aggies to serve when called to do so,” Texas A&M’s school website wrote. “It may be most visible on gamedays, but students also embrace this spirit through generosity and service to their peers, community and the world.”

The all-time average attendance record for Kyle Field is 105,122, in 2014. The next four years in the top five are: 2015, ‘22, ‘16 and ‘19. Texas A&M fans won’t have to wait long to flood their beloved stadium again. On Aug. 31, Texas A&M will kick off its 2024 campaign in a matchup against Notre Dame.