Projecting Texas A&M's preseason camp depth chart: Defense

Texas A&M is set to kick off fall camp on Wednesday, which means it’s time to project what the Aggies’ depth chart could look like entering fall camp. 

This depth chart is meant to represent how the Aggies may line up on Day 1 of practice. We’re not yet projecting ahead to Week 1 of the season and thus we’ll lean heavily on how Texas A&M finished its spring practice.

Texas A&M Football Preseason Camp Depth Chart Projection: Defense

Defensive Line

EDGE

Anthony Lucas

Fadil Diggs

Shemar Stewart

End

Tunmise Adeleye

Anthony Lucas

Nose

McKinnley Jackson

Isaiah Raikes

Walter Nolen

Three Tech

Shemar Turner

Walter Nolen

Shemar Stewart

Analysis: Perhaps the toughest position to project a depth chart right now. The Aggies have plenty of promising returning experience like Shemar Turner, McKinnley Jackson, Tunmise Adeleye and Fadil Diggs, but added nine new defensive linemen in the 2022 class, including five of the top six defensive linemen in the cycle and two four-star edge rushers. Of the linemen Texas A&M signed, Walter Nolen, Anthony Lucas and Shemar Stewart are three nearly guaranteed to see the field early. Lucas was the only one of the three that enrolled in the spring and he’s in line to contribute at defensive end and at EDGE. Nolen is in line to earn a spot in the rotation at both three-tech and potentially even nose tackle. Stewart will likely play defensive end and three-tech.

Linebackers

Mike

Andre White

Chris Russell

Will

Edgerrin Cooper

Tarian Lee Jr.

Analysis: Edgerrin Cooper returns and projects to build off his stellar 2021 season. Beside him, it’s now-or-never for fourth-year backer Andre White Jr., who started nine games last season, but needs to show more consistency. Behind them, Russell and Lee provide quality depth, but will have to hold off freshmen Martrell Harris and Ish Harris to secure their spots in the two-deep.

Secondary

CB

Myles Jones

Jaylon Jones

Brian George

CB

Tyreek Chappell

Denver Harris

Josh Moten

Nickel

Antonio Johnson

Bryce Anderson

Deuce Harmon

Safety

Jardin Gilbert

Bryce Anderson

Smoke Bouie

Safety

Demani Richardson

Jacoby Mathews

Analysis: Like with the defensive line group, Texas A&M’s newcomers will likely change this depth chart drastically come Week 1. Right now, it’s safe to project that Antonio Johnson, one of the top defensive backs in college football, will continue to man the nick spot, while both Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert will see extensive playing time at safety. Behind them, freshmen Bryce Anderson and Jacoby Mathews will likely see some time as well. Anderson can play safety and nickel, while Mathews likely best projects to safety. One other freshman safety to keep an eye on is Smoke Bouie, who is one of the best athletes on the roster regardless of position. The staff will try and find a way to get him on the field in some type of capacity. At cornerback, four names that will see the field in an extensive capacity are Tyreek Chappell, Myles Jones, Jaylon Jones and Denver Harris. This spring will decide which two of those four will lock down starting spots. Veterans Brian George and Josh Moten could play themselves onto the field as well.