Texas A&M Football: Grades for every star player so far in 2021

Texas A&M football player grades through five games: Defense

DL DeMarvin Leal: Defensively, Aggie fans won’t have nearly as many complaints as they do on offense. The unit has been as advertised, and at the center of it all, you’ll see DeMarvin Leal, who has been as good as expected.

On the year, Leal has 4.5 sacks, which leads the team, and two pass deflections, which leads defensive linemen on the team. To go along with this, he has recorded 17 tackles on the year, six of which have come for a loss. Leal has had a really strong season and continues to steadily progress.

Player Grade: A

DL Micheal Clemons: Micheal Clemons actually missed the first game of the season with a non-football-related suspension. He returned in full force and has brought a veteran presence to a team that desperately needs it.

On the year, Clemons is second on the team in sacks with 2.5, while recording the team’s only forced fumble of the year. He hasn’t been a superstar, but any team in the country would be happy to have Clemons as part of its offensive line.

Player Grade: B+

LB Aaron Hansford: Aaron Hansford has had a strong season overall. That said, it’s hard to get the image out of my head of the veteran linebacker pushing Arkansas’ AJ Green toward the endzone when he could have made an easy tackle at the 30-yard line.

Still, it’s been an overall good year from Hansford, who has recorded 36 tackles, which is second on the team. Hansford also has two sacks and two pass deflections, proving that he can be disruptive in the passing game.

Player Grade: B+