Who will lead Texas A&M football in sacks? Nic Scourton, Cashius Howell headline pass-rush talent on campus for 2024
Defensive line recruiting has been a huge strength for this Texas A&M football team over the last few years. The Aggies had a remarkable year in 2023 when it comes to racking up sacks and TFLs, being one of the leading teams in the nation when it comes to the rate of plays in which they create one of those two results.
However, with the departure of DL coach and ace recruiter Elijah Robinson, as well as the general turmoil of the roster, several key pieces have departed from the Aggies that were slated to have big years. Edgerrin Cooper and McKinnley Jackson graduated, while Walter Nolen, Fadil Diggs, and others left A&M for other schools.
To address this, Elko utilized the portal to great effect. The headliner of this group, without much question, was Purdue transfer Nic Scourton. The former Boilermaker and Bryan High School product led the entire Big 10 in sacks last year, and is an instant-impact player for the Aggies.
Nic Scourton (6’4 260lbs) is a JUICED UP edge rusher with a truly lethal spin move.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 29, 2024
He broke out at Purdue in 2023 with 42 pressures and 8 sacks and will look to cement himself as a first-round pick with Texas A&M in 2024. pic.twitter.com/iBtrAIOesG
Nic Scourton turned 2nd and 5 into 4th and 13 with these back-to-back plays.
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) April 21, 2024
Play one: Fights through two defenders and bats down what probably would have been a TD pass.
Play two: Works Fatheree inside, escapes him with a wicked spin move and sacks Weigman.
Special player. pic.twitter.com/xP6DKQ3wlg
He's not the only conference leader in sacks to come to College Station via the portal this winter, however. Elko once again reached up into the Midwest to pluck Cashius Howell out of Bowling Green, who himself led the MAC in sacks. Check out this play from him in the A&M spring game; even though he doesn't get the sack, his lethal first step is on display:
Marcel Reed does a nice job of avoiding the rush from Cashius Howell and finding Jahdae Walker here for a 19-yard completion. Impressive catch from Walker while falling to the ground. pic.twitter.com/0GZPJ0D6TE
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) April 21, 2024
These two players seem to be the favorites to lead the Aggies in sacks. I would lean towards Scourton, personally, for the plain fact that he is more of an every-down player than Howell is at this point. However, the same logic could work in reverse: if Howell comes in fresh for pass-rushing plays, then he could have a leg up on Scourton, who defenses are likely to key on in any case.
A dark horse name to watch here would be Rylan Kennedy. I'm high on his potential and loved what I saw from him in the bowl game. He's still very raw, and I doubt he would eclipse either of these guys in number of sacks this year, but he could announce himself in a big way nonetheless.