Our position preview continues, and today we’re diving into one of the more interesting groups on Texas A&M’s roster: cornerbacks. The Aggie secondary struggled in key games last season, but by returning several key players and bringing in a TON of new talent through the portal and high school ranks, this could be the most improved unit on the team in 2024. Let’s dive in.
Who have we lost?
- Josh DeBerry (graduation): Although DeBerry struggled at times in 2023 (he played somewhat unfavorably at cornerback), he started 7 games for the Aggies. He finished with 39 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions.
- Deuce Harmon (Graduation): Harmon started 6 games at cornerback and, like DeBerry, had 7 pass breakups and 18 tackles.
- Sam McCall (Portal): The FSU transfer played primarily on special teams, but also played cornerback (started against Ole Miss). He recorded 6 tackles on the season and is now at Georgia State.
- Bryce Anderson (sort of): Anderson is still on the team but has returned to the safety position after spending last season as a nickelback, so this isn’t a loss for the secondary as a whole, but one for the cornerback group in particular.
Who are we bringing back?
- Tyreek Chappell: Chappell has been a starter in each of the last three seasons in Aggieland and is back for his final season after a brief stint in the transfer portal. He is the undisputed veteran of the unit, and while he is not guaranteed a starting spot, it’s hard to imagine him not playing a prominent role.
- Jayvon Thomas/Bravion Rogers: I’ve combined the entries for Thomas and Rogers because their stories are ultimately quite similar. Each was a blue-chip recruit in the class of 2023 who only made one start in 2023 (Thomas against Ole Miss, Rogers in the Texas Bowl). Both had some ups and downs, which is to be expected with freshmen, but both have the potential to make a big jump in their second year and get on the field more regularly.
What other names should we know?
- SO MANY TRANSFERS!: It’s truly incredible what a stacked transfer group Texas A&M has assembled at the cornerback 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. That’s what gives this group so much potential, but also makes it so unknown. With so many players, it’s safe to assume they’ll find some key contributors, but it’s hard to predict what combination it will be.
- Terry Bussey: It’s hard to overstate what a huge recruiting achievement it was for Mike Elko and his staff to retain Bussey in the A&M class of 2024. The five-star athlete from Timpson played all over the field in high school but was best used as a cornerback at the college level. That’s why the Aggies seem to want to keep him on defense even though A&M appears to be thin on wide receivers and plenty of CBs. He’s only a freshman, but his skillset is one that not many other players possess (not just on this team, but nationwide). It would be a surprise if he started right away, but there’s a good chance he’ll find his way into the rotation as the season progresses.
Overall grade: B
I’m excited about this group, and part of me wanted to give them an A. But as a matter of principle, I can’t give an A to a unit that struggled so much a year ago and is facing so many unknowns to start the year. Granted, this is a new coaching staff with many, many new players, so last year may not be particularly accurate, and we may look back at this grade at the end of the season and think it was silly.
I certainly hope that’s the case, because if A&M has an above-average secondary to complement their defensive line, it could prove to be one of the better defenses in college football in 2024.
