Texas A&M football sliding Shemar Turner to DT could give the Aggies the nation's most ferocious defensive line
One of the biggest questions for Texas A&M football coming into the season surrounds depth along the interior of the defensive line. After the departure of guys like Isaiah Raikes and Walter Nolen, along with the graduation of McKinnley Jackson, there is very little proven talent at the position.
Most Aggies expect a breakout season from sophomore DT David Hicks, and for good reason. The former top-5 player in the nation showed some huge flashes in his limited play time last season, and he looked SEC-ready in the bowl game against Oklahoma State as well—one of the few bright spots from that evening.
Apart from him, though, there were a lot of question marks. Albert Regis seems to be ready to take on an increased role, but who's behind him? Transfer Rodas Johnson from Wisconsin? Could we see Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy begin to blossom? Samu Taumanupepe?
It now looks as though a starter has been tabbed for that second defensive tackle spot—and his inclusion might just make everything else fall into place. According to Billy Liucci of Texags, Shemar Turner is planning to move inside to DT full time this fall.
A&M senior Shemar Turner still looks lean despite adding THIRTY pounds in a single Tommy Moffitt off-season. Now 300 lbs and moving from DE to DT. @TBob53 @JacobHester18 @colecubelic pic.twitter.com/vYCTQL5uQL
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) July 18, 2024
After splitting time between end and tackle the past three years, while skewing towards the former, Turner ending up inside could be a huge boon for the Aggies. Let me paint a picture for you: the starting four on the defensive line for A&M could be Shemar Stewart, Shemar Turner, David Hicks, and Nic Scourton. That's as good of a defensive front as you'll find in the entire nation.
If this comes to pass, this could help everything fall into place behind him as well. You have situational guys like Samu, but a solid two backups in Regis and Rodas Johnson. This gives GBD more space to develop as well, and he may eventually step into that role as top backup.
This is an exciting development, and I have no doubt that Mike Elko will parlay it to the maximum benefit of this Aggie defense. I'm ready for this DL to show their stuff early and often this year.