Texas A&M football player's number change confirms 2025 Aggie personnel strategy

Texas A&M football fans saw an entirely reinvented defense over the course of the 2024 season. From what Elko had on his hands when he arrived as head coach— especially thinking about what was available for the bowl game against Oklahoma State— to the unit that took the field against Notre Dame was a profound change in personnel.

That is thanks in large part to the work that this Aggie staff was able to do through the portal this past offseason. They flipped nearly that entire side of the ball after the numbers were decimated at the close of the Jimbo era, and actually put a pretty good unit out on the field.

They struggled down the stretch, as we all know, but in hindsight, it's pretty remarkable that they were able to get the level of play out of the defense that they did. The Aggies were especially effective at Kyle Field, holding several high-caliber offensive units to under 20 points.

Part of that reinvention was the addition of Dezz Ricks, a former five-star corner who came to the Aggies from Alabama. Ricks came in as a favorite to start at corner thanks to his natural talents— but if there was anyone who could rival those gifts, it was Terry Bussey.

Though Bussey spent the year on offense, he actually came into College Station as a corner. Because of what the Aggies are losing at defensive back, there's been some talk among fans that he could move back over to that side of the ball.

Dezz Ricks' number change all but confirms Texas A&M football is keeping Terry Bussey on offense

It looks like that will only ever be speculation, however. Dezz Ricks posted today that he is switching his number to 2, meaning that the plan is for Bussey to not play on that side of the ball.

There are plenty of double numbers on college football teams, but not by players who play on the same side of the ball.

I like the pairing of Ricks and Will Lee at the corner spots for this upcoming year. They have a lot of promise, and they're only getting better as time goes on. I think we'll be in good hands there, even with Bussey staying on offense for the upcoming year— where I foresee him being a difference maker as well.