DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Who's gone: Damontre Moore (NFL), Spencer Nealy (eligibility expired), Jonathan Mathis (eligibility expired), Shayvion Hatten (transferred to SFA), Rhontae Scales (graduated)
Who's back: #42 Kirby Ennis (6-4, 300, SR), #95 Julien Obioha (6-4, 255, SO), #83 Alonzo Williams (6-4, 280, SO), #72 Gavin Stansbury (6-4, 270, JR), #89 Ivan Robinson (6-3, 270, JR), #41 Brandon Alexander (6-6, 255, SO), #90 Polo Manukainiu (6-5, 270, RS-FR), #35 Tyrell Taylor (6-4, 230, JR), #50 Tyrone Taylor (6-3, 240, RS-FR)
Who's new: #99 Isaiah Golden 95 (6-2, 320, FR), #10 Daeshon Hall 94 (6-6, 225, FR), #55 Justin Manning 94 (6-1, 270, FR), #98 Hardreck Walker 90 (6-2, 290, FR), #96 Jay Arnold 87 (6-4, 265, FR), #92 Jordan Points 83 (6-3, 260, FR)

The switch to a 4-man front last year ended up being successful because everything seemed to come together. Damontre Moore exploded with his hand in the dirt. Spencer Nealy played out of his mind as an undersized 3-tech tackle. And sparsely recruited Julien Obioha started every game as a true freshman. Rather miraculously, the defensive line not only wasn't a weakness, it was an above average unit. Whether Terry Price can replicate that kind of miracle in 2013 is going to play a huge role in whether A&M will be good or great. Probably no position saw a larger upgrade in talent than the d-line though. The Sherman staff had a horrible time recruiting d-line and left a pretty bare cupboard. Price reeled in four 4-star instate talents in the class (Sherman's staff hadn't inked a single one since 2008). It's difficult to make an impact as a freshman but this talented class will provide much needed depth and create sorely needed competition. Kirby Ennis and Julien Obioha return to anchor the line and Alonzo Williams has moved inside to be a 3-tech tackle - at least until the freshmen are ready. With Obioha likely moving to rush end, the battle is on for the SDE spot with Gavin Stansbury the current favorite. But by season's end, one of the young DTs (bet on Manning) will emerge and Williams will slide back outside where he showed flashes late last season. Btw, I listed the Taylors here despite being LBs on the roster. They function as pass rushing specialists but I'm unconvinced they are ever going to find a fit in Snyder's scheme.

LINEBACKERS

Who's gone: Sean Porter (NFL), Jonathan Stewart (eligibility expired), Michael Richardson (retired), Domonique Patterson (retired), Jordan Richmond (disciplinary)
Who's back: #8 Steven Jenkins (6-2, 220, SR), #16 Donnie Baggs (6-1, 230, JR), #9 Nate Askew (6-4, 225, SR), #40 Shaun Ward (6-2, 244, JR)
Who's new: #3 Tommy Sanders 92 (6-2, 215, JR), #52 Brett Wade 90 (6-1, 225, FR), #48 Darian Claiborne 89 (6-0, 225, FR), #13 Reggie Chevis 88 (6-1, 250, FR), #45 Jordan Mastrogiovanni 87 (6-2, 230, FR), #33 Shaan Washington 87 (6-2, 210, FR)
Transfer (will redshirt the '13 season): A.J. Hilliard (from TCU, 6-2, 210, SO)

The loss of Porter and Stewart can't be underestimated. They played an enormous amount last season as until the LSU game A&M used a 4-man rotation (those two plus Jenkins and Baggs) for the 3 LB spots. Baggs got reps at each spot before Richardson emerged as a solid option late in the season. With the injury and retirement of Richardson means 3/5th of the LBs counted on late last season are gone. Jenkins returns at WLB and Baggs is slated at MLB. Nate Askew changed positions in the spring to complete a 2-deep but settled in fairly well and will likely be in the rotation from the start, probably backing up JUCO transfer Tommy Sanders at SLB. The overall lack of bodies led to a large incoming class as well as a transfer. While Chavis and Wade were early enrollees who participated in the spring, the buzz at the moment is around Mastrogiovanni and Washington. Expect to see a split with a couple of the fish redshirting but the rest will play early and often.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Who's gone: Steven Terrell (eligibility expired), Dustin Harris (eligibility expired), Desmond Gardiner (graduated)
Who's back: #29 Deshazor Everett (6-0, 185, JR), #1 De'Vante Harris (5-10, 175, SO), #31 Howard Matthews (6-2, 200, JR), #14 Floyd Raven Sr (6-2, 190, JR), #4 Toney Hurd Jr (5-9, 180, SR), #25 Clay Honeycutt (6-2, 200, JR), #7 Tramain Jacobs (6-1, 190, SR), #26 Devonta Burns (6-0, 201, SO), #30 Johntel Franklin (6-2, 200, SR), #15 Kenneth Marshall (6-0, 191, RS-FR)
Who's new: #23 Kameron Miles 92 (6-1, 215, FR), #6 Noel Ellis 90 (5-10, 175, FR), #22 Tavares Garner 90 (6-0, 175, FR), #28 Victor Davis 88 (6-0, 175, FR), #37 Alex Sezer Jr 86 (5-9, 180, FR), #36 Jonathan Wiggins 83 (6-3, 210, FR)

The strength of the A&M defense is without a doubt the secondary. While Stephen Terrell and Dustin Harris developed into steady options in 2012, at best they would be described as adequate. Everett emerged as a star though despite being called upon to temporarily play safety until Howard Matthews found his sea legs. By seasons end Everett and Matthews were the key to the secondary. Add in the talented Devante Harris who is probably the best cover man and the secondary looks as good as it has in years. The key question will be at free safety where Raven moved in the spring. Raven is an exciting player but that's not always good as the last line of defense. Tony Hurd is small and probably not an ideal SEC safety but he excels as a nickel back and provides veteran leadership. After years of horrible secondary recruiting and a lot of major reaches, Sherman's 2011 class was the turning point. That group (Everett, Raven, Matthews) will lead this secondary but the infusion of freshman will finally give the kind of depth that is required. No more La Tech catastrophes when there simply aren't enough bodies to match up. And despite a nice starting group, if anyone struggles (looking at you Floyd), it won't surprise me at all to see one of the freshman wrest the job away. Having this kind of depth and talent will also greatly enhance special team play.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Who's gone: Ryan Epperson (eligibility expired)
Who's back: #24 Taylor Bertolet (5-9, 174, SO), #38 Drew Kaser (6-3, 220, SO)
Who's new: none

Frankly, it's hard to imagine PKing could be worse this year. Bertolet has the leg as can be evidenced by his kickoffs but struggles horribly with consistency. His issues were factors in both losses and it seems rather likely the Aggies will have a game eventually come down to him again. Kaser is another with a big leg but lack of consistency led to him being beat out by Epperson who wasn't tremendous but he was solid enough. You can tell we lack confidence in our entire kicking situation simply because we have offered multiple scholarships to kickers in the class of '14 but for this year at least, these are the two we likely are rolling with for better or worse.