Scouting report: What to expect from Texas A&M’s defense

Everything to expect from the Texas A&M defense as the Aggies take on Auburn in College Station (Tex.) on Saturday. This is based on film from the first three A&M games against New Mexico, Miami, and Louisiana Monroe.

Playmaker spotlight: Edge, Shemar Turner

— So far this season, Turner has 3 sacks for the Aggies. He also has 6 tackles on the season.

— Former 4-star recruit and top 10 player in the state of Texas as a recruit. Currently listed at 6-foot-4 290 pounds.

— Texas A&M has struggled getting a consistent pass rush, but Turner has been a bright spot in that regard.

Playmaker spotlight: DL, Walter Nolen

— Nolen is a former consensus 5-star recruit from Powell, Tennessee. He has played in every game of his A&M career so far.

— Nolen makes a difference on the interior. He is not racking up the stats, but proving to be a rock in the middle of the defense.

— Many of his tackles come from shedding blocks and double teams, then stopping a play at the line of scrimmage.

— He demands a double team in the middle and is athletic enough to run down plays. Nolen is a complete interior defensive lineman at 6-4 290.

Notable playmakers

— Fadil Diggs, a former 4-star recruit from New Jersey, is a standout playmaker on the edge. He plays in space as an outside linebacker and has made some big plays.

— Edge/Defensive lineman LT Overton is very active and holds the edge well. He provides pass rush at times. Overton is a former 5-star recruit from Milton (Ga.) He reclassified from the 2023 class to the 2022 class and has played a big role for A&M since being a freshman.

— Linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Taurean York are both good linebackers in the box and are always around the ball.

Scheme & Stats

— A&M loves to bring the heat on 3rd downs or passing situations. Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin knows he has superior front-seven athletes and intends to use them in these situations.

— For whatever reason, A&M has had problems rushing with only four. The team has 6 total sacks and at least 2 of them came on blitzes. The Aggies’ defense did not have a sack against Miami.

— The secondary has broken up many short passes and are good in short area. There is a good bit of zone defense being run by Durkin. The secondary had trouble making open field tackles against Miami.

— A&M is tied for 38th in the country in total defense allowing 298 total yards per game.

— The Aggies’ rush defense are keeping opponents under 100 rushing yards per game through three games.

— A&M is allowing exactly 200 yards per game through the air.

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