Texas A&M football spring game standout performance: Nic Scourton captures spotlight

Texas A&M football's Nic Scourton poised for a monster season after huge spring game

I tried to get cute with my prediction on a standout performer in the Texas A&M football spring game, going out on a limb to say that Theo Mehlin Ohrstrom would be a breakout candidate. While I still believe Ohrstrom has the potential to have a huge season for Texas A&M football, I should have stuck with the obvious prediction.

I am, of course, talking about Purdue transfer Nic Scourton. The Aggies' highest-rated transfer signee after leading the Big 10 in sacks last year, big things were expected of Scourton this year. If this spring game is anything to judge him on, he won't disappoint.

From the very first play, Scourton was making his presence felt. He completely faked out tackle Hunter Erb on a spin move to free himself for a pressure right in Weigman's face; despite that, #15 made his biggest play of the day in a downfield pass to Cyrus Allen.

The biggest reason that Weigman didn't make a play any bigger was the presence of Scourton throughout the rest of the game. Time and time again, Weigman was rushed, harassed, and forced to vacate the pocket because of Scourton's rushes. Whether it was stretching out bootleg plays, straight up pass rushes, or destroying run plays in the backfield, #11 on the defense was absolutely living in the White team's territory.

You'll notice that, on the biggest play of the day for the White team, Scourton was conspicuously absent. Maybe Rueben Owens would still have broken off that huge run had Scourton been there, but I don't find it coincidental that he was off the field when the Maroon team allowed the only touchdown of the day.

In playing only about half the snaps, Scourton recorded an eye-popping 3.5 tackles for loss—including 2.5 sacks (not to mention multiple near misses). His arrow is pointed straight up.

It should be said that he, for some of the day, had the benefit of facing off against a redshirt freshman tackle in Hunter Erb. When he lined up opposite Deuce Fatheree on the other side, the veteran tackle was sometimes able to stymy his pass rush. That will happen from time to time, obviously. But Scourton's dominance was evident even in this matchup.

This is the most exciting and proven guy the Aggies have had on that line since Myles Garrett was anchoring the Aggie defense. Whether Scourton's numbers will rival those of the former #1 overall pick when all is said and done is up for debate; but there's no question that he will be a huge piece for the Aggies going forward.