Texas A&M Football: What Will the 2012 Aggie Defense Look Like?

By Michael Taglienti(Featured Columnist) on January 12, 2012

Courtesy of Bleacher Report

          

With the addition of Mark Snyder to the Texas A&M football staff, the Aggie defense will be moving from the 3-4 defensive alignment under former defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter to a 4-3 "under" alignment under Snyder.
With the new scheme, there will likely be some position changes and some growing pains as the defensive players learn a new system. The bright side for Aggie fans is that both Snyder and DeRuyter used some of the same zone blitz concepts that were made popular by Pittsburgh Steeler defensive guru Dick Lebeau.
The returning defenders who played under DeRuyter should recognize a lot of concepts, and it should make the transition easier.
This is a basic look at what the 4-3 under defense is and where we should expect the current players and the committed recruits to end up on the field in 2012.

What Does the 4-3 "Under" Defense Look Like?

The diagram above shows the basic formation of the 4-3 under scheme against a split-back scheme on offense when trying to defend the run. To a layman, the defensive formation will resemble the 3-4 scheme that A&M ran in 2011. This 4-3 under and the 3-4 defense are often referred to as "5-2" schemes because there appear to be five down linemen and two linebackers.
In the 3-4, you have three down linemen in a nose tackle and two defense ends. In Mark Snyder's 4-3 scheme, you have four down linemen in a nose tackle, a defensive tackle and two defensive ends.
In the 3-4, you have four linebackers, and in the 4-3, you have three.
Snyder's defense is referred to as the "under" defense because instead of the defensive tackles being lined up directly across from the guards, the defensive tackle and nose tackle are shifted over and lined up in gaps or in an "odd technique." In an "over" alignment the linemen are shifted towards the strong side. As you can see in the "under" scheme the defensive linemen are shifted towards the weak side.
In the 3-4, you have two outside linebackers lining up outside of the opposing offensive tackles. As you can see from above, in Snyder's defense, you will have on DE and one linebacker lining up outside of the offensive tackles. It is pretty much the same concept, but just different names for the position.

Nose Tackle

The Aggie lost starting nose guard Eddie Brown to graduation.
They return Ben Compton and Kirby Ennis, and those two look to be the leading candidates for the nose tackle position in Snyder's defense.
At 6'4", 310 pounds, Ben Compton has the size and strength to start on the interior defensive line in the Southeastern Conference. Compton was recruited as a center but moved over to the defensive line in 2011 and had six tackles and a tackle for loss in nine games.
Kirby Ennis is 6'4" 286 pounds. Ideally, he would add a little size in the weight room, but his frame may already be maxed out right now. Adding weight may not be beneficial to him. He will likely back up Compton at NT and could also see some time at the defensive tackle spot.
If Jonathan Mathis is granted a medical redshirt for 2011 and is allowed another season of eligibility, then he will likely see some time at NT also.

Defensive Tackle

If Jonathan Mathis is able to play in 2012, then he will start at defensive tackle. He has NFL talent and could be a major difference maker for the Aggies on the defensive line.
If Mathis is not granted a waiver, then expect Gavin Stansbury to start at defensive tackle. Stansbury is only 265 pounds and will have to spend a lot of time with Aggie S&C coach Larry Jackson in the offseason to add some good weight. He is simply not big enough to compete in the interior in the SEC right now.
Ivan Robinson is recovering from an injury and should be available in 2012. At 6'3", 270, Robinson needs to add some size and strength before he can help on the field. If Robinson is healthy and able to contribute, that will be a big boost to the Ags because they do not have much depth on the defensive line.

Defensive End

There are two defensive end positions in Snyder's scheme. The strong side defensive end position is more of a run stopping role, while the weak side is more of a pass rusher.
Expect to see Spencer Nealy start on the strong side. Nealy started nine games at DE for the Ags in 2011. He will be a senior in '12, and at 6'5", 277 pounds, you would like to see him add about 10 pounds of muscle before the fall.
He is a high-energy guy who plays with great effort and keeps his teammates motivated. In 2011, he had 45 tackles with eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. There is some concern that Nealy will be overwhelmed in 2012 by more talented competition.
Shayvion Hatten redshirted in 2011. The 6'4", 286-pound freshman should back up Nealy in 2012. Expect him to enter the fall at over 290 pounds and ready to contribute. He is a very talented  athlete. Quite frankly, the Aggies could use three or four more Hattens on the roster right now.
Alonzo Williams is an incoming DE recruit from California. Expect him to compete for immediate playing time at the strong side and weak side DE position. He should be ready to play right away.

Weak Side Defensive End

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The weak side defensive end is more of a rush defensive end spot. Aggies will recognize it as basically the same as the rush OLB spot in the 3-4.
Expect Damontre Moore to line up in this rush DE position. He had a great sophomore year in 2011 with 72 tackles 17.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He should be a force off the edge in the SEC.
Brandon Alexander suffered a dislocated elbow against Texas Tech and missed much of the season. The second-year sophomore will back up Moore at DE. Look for Alexander to add 10 to 15 pounds to his 6'6", 240-pound frame after his first offseason in a Division I strength and conditioning program. He should be a future star for the Aggies.
Depending on his weight, Tyrell Taylor could get a look at this spot. At 6'4", 205 pounds, he will need to add at least 25 pounds to get in the conversation, but he has the kind of pass rush skills that are coveted at this position.
Caleb Russell had four tackles for loss and three sacks in 2011 and should see some playing time in 2012 at this spot.
His brother, incoming recruit Tyrone Taylor, could also figure into the equation at DE.
Michael Richardson is a 6'2", 230-pound recruit who played linebacker in Desoto High School's 3-4 defense. He could compete for playing time here also.

Middle Linebacker

The middle or "mike" linebacker spot will be filled by Jonathan Stewart.
The senior linebacker led the Aggies with 98 tackles in 2011. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He has grown into a solid linebacker on the interior for the Ags.
Look for Darzil Washington, who is coming off a redshirt year, and incoming recruit Jordan Richmond to compete for the second team spot.

Weak Side Linebacker

Steven Jenkins started six games at the weak side, or "will," linebacker in the Ags 3-4 scheme in 2011. He really became a difference maker in the last three games. Expect him to start at the "will" linebacker sport in Snyder's 4-3 defense.
Dominique Patterson and Donnie Baggs will compete for the second team spot behind Jenkins.
Baggs had six tackles in limited action as a true freshman in 2011. Patterson has struggled to find playing time in his first two years on campus. A new staff should give him a new lease on life in a new scheme.

Strong Side Linebacker

Sean Porter will start at the strong side, or "sam," linebacker position.
Porter returns in 2012 as an All-American candidate and one of the best linebackers in America. In 2011, he tallied 79 tackles with 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He and Moore should give the Aggies a great pass rush off the edge.
He is one of the best linebackers the Aggies have had in the past decade and should be an impact player in the SEC.
It is up in the air who will back up Porter in 2012. The Ags have a lot of linebackers who are adept at rushing the passer and are a good fit for the rush DE spot in Snyder's defense, but not a lot who can drop into coverage.
Do not be surprised to see Charlie Thomas backing up Porter. He was recruited as a safety and is solid in coverage.

Cornerbacks

Both of the starting cornerbacks from the 2011 Aggie team have graduated.
Dustin Harris returns at corner. He was the third corner in 2011. He was a starter in 2009. Harris may be the most physically gifted player on the team. He is 6'0" tall and can run the 40 in under 4.4 seconds. He used his great speed to lead the nation in punt return average in 2011 with 18.6 yards per return and one touchdown.
The issue with Harris is that he is inconsistent. He is just as likely to get burned or make a senseless play on special teams as he is to make a great one. He needs to be more consistent to be a starter in 2012.
Look for Floyd Raven to start at the other corner spot. The 6'2" freshman saw some playing time in 2011 and stood out on special teams. Look for him to start at the spot opposite from Harris.
Toney Hurd, Jr. will compete with both Harris and Raven for a starting spot.
Otis Jacobs will be on campus for spring practice and will also compete for a starting spot.
Expect the incoming freshmen defensive backs to compete for back-up and even starting snaps.

Strong Safety

Steven Campbell started at strong safety until injury knocked him out for the year.
At six-feet tall and around 210 pounds, Campbell is the exact kind of physical safety you want in the SEC. He is big enough to play the run and fast enough to match up in coverage. If he can stay healthy during his senior season, he should play his way into the top three rounds of the NFL draft.
Expect to see Howard Matthews back Campbell up.
The Aggies are bringing in multiple defensive backs in the 2012 recruiting class. Corey Thompson, Colin Blake and Kenneth Marshall will all compete for playing time at strong safety.

Free Safety

Steven Terrell started four games at strong safety in 2011. Expect him to move to the free safety spot in 2012.
Terrell is solid in coverage but has not always been as physical as he needs to be to play the strong safety spot. He needs to improve his tackling if he wants to remain the starter for the entire year.
Just like the strong safety position, look for the incoming freshmen recruits to compete for immediate playing time in 2012.