He has grown into one of the top defensive minds in college football, but has he saved his best for Texas A&M?
DJ Durkin left one former Nick Saban assistant (Lane Kiffin) to join another one. He is in his second season as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher. The 45-year-old has Texas A&M playing well on defense since its week two loss to the Miami Hurricanes. Texas A&M ranks in the top five nationally for sacks (20) and has 49 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, 23 pass breakups, and five forced fumbles. Shemar Turner, Edgerrin Cooper, and Walter Nolan all have three sacks apiece.
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Cooper leads the Aggies in tackles for loss (nine). Turner and Nolan each have 6.5 tackles for loss. Jalen Milroe has been sacked 15 times this season, including a season-high five times versus Texas. The Aggies’ defensive front is just as talented if not more than Texas. Durkin will run a lot of looks against Alabama’s offensive line to overwhelm it and frustrate Milroe. Texas A&M signed several defensive players in its 2022 class, including Nolan, and now they are starting to emerge as playmakers.
Coach Saban addressed the importance of the Crimson Tide’s offensive line handling at Kyle Field.
“We need to do a much better job of having a firm pocket in protecting the quarterback against really good pass rushers,” Saban said. “I also think it’s important that we get the ball out of our hand on time so that we don’t allow them to affect us. So, it is a combination of both. It is also a combination of the receivers getting open, and playing fast so that we can make quick decisions about what we do, and how we rid of the ball.”
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Some of Milroe’s sacks have come from him holding the ball too long. He needs to be quicker in his decision-making to either run or throw the ball away. If he can take that step in his development, Milroe will be an even better quarterback.
He and the offensive line must be on the same page against Texas A&M.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
