If there’s one thing John Chavis’ defenses have come to be known for, it’s aggression. The Aggies’ new defensive coordinator has talked this spring about how good defenses are always aggressive, and it’s something he’s brought to Texas A&M, especially in the secondary.

Under Chavis, Aggies defensive backs are going to have to change their game. No more will they sit back off the ball; instead, expect plenty of press coverage on the outside, a physical style that Chavis’ LSU defenses carried out during his tenure there.

One player who feels like he’ll reap the benefits of the new philosophy is De’Vante Harris.

On the surface, the rising senior cornerback doesn’t seem like a prime candidate to play physical press coverage. He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, slight even for cornerback standards. Harris is more than ready to get tough at the line of scrimmage, though.

“Press-man is my game. I love that. You don’t have too many responsibilities, just go after the man in front of you,” Harris told MyAggieNation.com.

Harris has had an up-and-down career marked by inconsistent play. While he’s been a starter for much of his three-year career, he spent the early part of last season on the sidelines with a urinary tract infection, and when he came back he struggled to get up to speed. Like the rest of the Aggies secondary, he didn’t play physically and seemed reluctant to put his pads into opposing receivers. While he was better as a tackler than in previous years, there was still a plenty of room for improvement in that department.

The Aggies coaching staff has praised Harris so far this spring. Secondary coach Terry Joseph said last week that Harris has held up well at the line of scrimmage so far in practice, a big accomplishment against the Aggies’ big, phsyical receivers. Kevin Sumlin has said that Harris came back from spring break weighing around 180 pounds, an increase that will help him get tougher in coverage.

With three seniors departing from last year’s team, the Aggies will need Harris to step up not just his play, but also his leadership. It’s something he says he’s embraced.

“It’s what I asked for and what I prayed for my whole life. I am stepping into the role, but I am going to do it my way,” he said in the MyAggieNation.com article.

Chavis’ defenses have long relied on strong one-on-one play from cornerbacks and pressure from defensive ends. The Aggies are strong in the latter department, with Myles Garrett, Daeshon Hall and several other talented pass rushers. Chavis will need Harris and his counterpart, be it Nick Harvey, Tavares Garner or Noel Ellis, to anchor the back end of the defense.

If Harris has indeed taken a step in the right direction, getting bigger and stronger in order to play a more physical style, the Aggies defense will be much better for it. While no one expects Texas A&M to shoot to the top of the SEC’s defensive ranks immediately, Harris can help spur a big turnaround from the basement in Chavis’ first year.