PFF lists surprising inclusion on top-graded returning Texas A&M defensive players

Pro Football Focus lists top-graded returning Texas A&M football defenders— and they include an unexpected name

Texas A&M football's defense struggled quite a bit down the stretch of last season. Fans cringe as they remember the complete no-show at the end of the bowl game, allowing USC to go on a nigh-uncontested drive to win the game.

That will hopefully be a distant memory with Mike Elko running the show and another year under the belts of some of these Aggie defenders. Some exciting names are coming back, including Cashius Howell, Albert Regis, and Scooby Williams.

It's no surprise to see those names on Pro Football Focus's list of the top-graded returning players for the Aggies. But there's a surprise in the top five that not many expected.

Safety wasn't exactly a position of strength for the Aggies last year, with Bryce Anderson leading the charge with regard to the struggles at that spot. Yet, Marcus Ratcliffe is tied with Taurean York for the fourth-highest returning grade on the team.

Though York had his struggles last year, I don't think anyone pinpointed him as a particular weakness on the defense. Ratcliffe, to my recollection, received far more criticism and far less praise than did no. 21.

I certainly didn't anticipate Ratcliffe grading out higher than Dalton Brooks, who looked like a star in the making at times last season. If they can make a jump from last season to this one, then this could be a position we quickly see shored up for the Aggies.

It's also worth mentioning that the addition of Lyle Hemphill could play a big role in some improvement on the back end. Hemphill was brought in to help in the secondary, given some of Mike Elko's grievances with that unit at the end of last year, and his inclusion could benefit these guys big time.

We also shouldn't forget about some of the young guns, like Jordan Pride and Myles Davis. There will be some spots open in the rotation now that Trey Jones has moved on, so don't be surprised if one of those guys wedges their way in for some playing time.

Hopefully, though, Ratcliffe in particular can make this conversation redundant by season's end. This was shockingly one of the worst areas on the team last year— let's hope that he and Brooks can make the bounce back just as shocking.