DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Who's gone: Polo Manukainiu (RIP), Kirby Ennis (eligibility expired), Gavin Stansbury (dismissed), Isaiah Golden (dismissed), Jordan Points (dismissed)
Who's back: #95 Julien Obioha (6-4, 256, JR), #83 Alonzo Williams (6-4, 290, JR), #89 Ivan Robinson (6-3, 290, SR), #35 Tyrell Taylor (6-4, 230, SR), #50 Tyrone Taylor (6-3, 250, SO), #10 Daeshon Hall (6-6, 245, SO), #98 Hardreck Walker (6-2, 300, SO), #96 Jay Arnold (6-4, 275, SO), #55 Justin Manning (6-1, 300, RS-FR)
Who's new: #15 Myles Garrett 101 (6-5, 250, FR), #90 DeShawn Washington 89 (6-3, 285, FR), #9 Qualen Cunningham 94 (6-3, 220, FR), #92 Zaycoven Henderson 90 (6-1, 310, FR), #40 Jarrett Johnson 89 (6-3, 240, FR), #97 Darrell Jackson NA (6-5, 230, RS-FR)

While there is certainly angst over losing Golden and Stansbury and potentially Robinson, there are a lot of positives too. After a failed transition to WDE, Obioha returns to a role he's better suited for. As a 2-year starter, he should lead the group. Several players may get a shot backing him up including Jay Arnold and incoming phenom, Myles Garrett. At WDE, Daeshon Hall returns and is supposedly both healthy and has put on weight. Hall showed massive potential at times last year but struggled with the physicality. Garrett should push here as well and it would hardly be surprising to see him lining up at WDE on the first snap vs SC. The wildcard in this is Darrell Jackson, a late JUCO addition who played safety in HS. He can't redshirt so he'll probably battle with the Taylors for a depth spot this year as he transitions to the position. The other two freshmen, Cunningham and Johnson will need to really show out in fall camp or they will likely redshirt instead of wasting a year of eligibility as a 3rd teamer. Inside is a different story. Zo Williams was hit and miss last year but he showed potential. He returns but needs to show real improvement, especially with consistency. Justin Manning will likely push for the job in the fall and while the potential is there, the light hasn't quite gone on for him yet. Jay Arnold slid inside early last year due to need and could potentially do so again if Zo and Manning struggle. Incomer Washington may have a say here as well though ideally you'd let him redshirt. At the nose, Hardreck Walker returns after getting significant time last year. He and spring enrollee Zay Henderson will likely be asked to lock down the spot. But this may be the thinnest spot on defense now so an injury could be devastating.

LINEBACKERS

Who's gone: Steven Jenkins (eligibility expired), Nate Askew (eligibility expired), Darian Claiborne (dismissed)
Who's back: #45 Jordan Mastrogiovanni (6-3, 235, SO), #46 A.J. Hilliard (6-2, 225, SO), #33 Shaan Washington (6-2, 227, SO), #16 Donnie Baggs (6-1, 230, SR), #3 Tommy Sanders 92 (6-2, 220, SR), #52 Brett Wade (6-1, 230, RS-FR), #13 Reggie Chevis (6-1, 255, RS-FR)
Who's new: #42 Otaro Alaka 93 (6-3, 210, FR), #14 Josh Walker 94 (6-1, 220, FR)

A year removed from returning only 2 LBs on the roster, A&M has 7 this year. But the talk is that playmaker Darion Claiborne is one of those not returning. At WLB, expect AJ Hilliard to be the guy. He was moved there from SAM in the spring as the coaches had some doubts about Claiborne. Tommy Sanders missed the spring but a year removed from JUCO, should challenge Hilliard at the spot. Sanders may be the best cover LB on the roster. In the middle, Mastrogiavanni emerged as a leader in the spring and has been the talk of the coaching staff. Forced into action last year straight out of private school, he struggled at times with the speed of the game. Here is where the loss of Claiborne hurts though, as if Mastro struggles in game action, there isn't a clear option. Chevis has the measurables but hasn't yet put it together and right now, it's more likely walk-on (though certain to get a ship) Justin Bass would step in. Another option that will be tested in the fall is incoming freshman Josh Walker inside. Ideally he'd be a WLB but need may force this. At SAM, last season was a disaster. Shaan Washington is the leading candidate to play here but Donnie Baggs is being used in the Jack package (335) that may be used again more than anyone wants because of DT issues. Otara Alaka is an ideal candidate for both spots but it's unlikely the rather thin true freshman will be ready in time. Like Washington last year, a redshirt would be ideal, but again like last year, he may be forced into action anyway.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Who's gone: Toney Hurd Jr (eligibility expired), Tramain Jacobs (eligibility expired), Kenneth Marshall (dismissed), Kameron Miles (dismissed)
Who's back: #29 Deshazor Everett (6-0, 188, SR), #1 De'Vante Harris (5-11, 175, JR), #31 Howard Matthews (6-2, 215, SR), #5 Floyd Raven Sr (6-2, 200, SR), #25 Clay Honeycutt (6-2, 200, SR), #26 Devonta Burns (6-0, 214, JR), #4 Noel Ellis (5-10, 180, SO), #22 Tavares Garner (6-0, 180, SO), #28 Victor Davis (6-0, 194, RS-FR), #17 Alex Sezer Jr 86 (5-9, 180, SO), #36 Jonathan Wiggins 83 (6-3, 213, SO)
Who's new: #8 Nick Harvey 95 (5-10, 180, FR), #23 Armani Watts 94 (5-11, 178, FR), #18 Donovan Wilson 83 (6-1, 185, FR)

Despite returning all 4 starters from '13, this is a transition year for the secondary as new coach Terry Joseph takes over with a different philosophy. The personnel is not necessarily well suited to Joseph's press man style so there could be some reshuffling of positions. Both corners return and the coaches have been adamant that Deshazor will remain at CB all year. He was named a pre-season all-SEC. Harris is a great cover guy who struggles with strength. He's a JR now and there really are no more excuses. Garner and Davis backed up here in the spring but incoming freshman Armani Watts may also get a real look, especially now with Davis suspended. Safety was a disaster in '13. Howard Matthews regressed to the point that he was abysmal. Indications are that he had a good spring so there is hope he can return to late '12 form. Honeycutt and Raven took turns making fans cringe and both return at FS. But Sumlin stated Nick Harvey will probably start out here and Donovan Wilson has also had high praise in summer 7v7. Don't be surprised if either starts and both end up in the 2-deep. Rumors of Justin Evans joining for the fall would certainly change things up as well. At nickel, Toney Hurd departs and his leadership will be sorely missed. Ellis and Sezer worked here in the spring but late on, Burns was moved into the role and flourished. Joseph may not have "his guys" in place yet but there is enough talent and experience to improve upon last year's shitshow and be a good SEC secondary, even if not elite.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Who's gone: none
Who's back: #49 Josh Lambo (6-0, 220, JR), #24 Taylor Bertolet (5-9, 174, JR), #38 Drew Kaser (6-3, 220, JR)
Who's new: none

In one year, A&M went from comical kicking units to one of the nations best with new coach Jeff Banks. Lambo became a reliable placekicker. Kaser was an all-American. And Bertolet was a top kickoff guy. All return and kicking seems to be the least of our worries this year.