Will transfer DL live up to expectations?
Though Texas A&M has lost Shemars both Turner and Stewart, as well as Nic Scourton, to the NFL— in total, three of their four defensive line starters— there's still a lot of reason for optimism. Chief among those is the returning talent that the Aggies do have in Cashius Howell, Albert Regis, and DJ Hicks.
Hicks will need to take a jump as he steps into a bigger role, but Regis's longtime experience will be a boon, as will Howell's breakout potential. The biggest question, though, comes from how the transfer defensive linemen will fit in.
The Aggies added a couple of nice pieces through the portal this year, though maybe not as much as they would have liked. Iowa State's Tyler Onyedim comes in to man the middle alongside Regis, while Florida's TJ Searcy and Dayon Hayes, erstwhile of Pitt and Colorado, come in as edge players.
Add in Sam M'Pemba as a pass-rush specialist with an insanely high ceiling, and there's going to be a lot of ability for these new faces to contribute. The question is exactly how effective they'll be.
Searcy has been pencilled in as the starter opposite Howell by many, but Hayes has gotten some buzz recently. Onyedim is a big pickup as well, and could split time with Hicks opposite Regis (or vice versa).
The pass rush increasing in effectiveness from last year is a big key for the Aggie defense— for all the talent they had, they were remarkably inert in some watershed moments. If they can make those strides (a big ask with so many snaps going out the door), it will go a long way for this defense.