South Carolina giveth and Armani Watts taketh away.

Texas A&M’s standout player in the secondary last week wasn’t senior cornerback Deshazor Everett, a multi-year starter and the Aggies’ only preseason All-SEC defender.

Stealing the show at Williams-Brice Stadium was Watts, an 18-year-old true freshman who earned the start over veteran Floyd Raven after impressing coaches during fall practice.

In his first college appearance against a Top 10 team, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder didn’t disappoint.

Watts recorded three tackles, intercepted Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson for the game’s only turnover in the third quarter and laid a pair of pad-crunching blows to receivers from his post at safety, including one just before halftime that nullified a would-be touchdown at the goal line.

Watts’ fearless play and supreme confidence provided an instant lift to a Texas A&M secondary that lacked respect last season and was often gashed through the air.

After quickly picking up defensive coordinator Mark Snyder’s scheme and securing his spot at the back end this summer, it appears Watts will be in the mix for freshman of the year accolades throughout the season if he keeps it up.

The Aggies need him.

“Armani’s a rangy kid, a smart kid who got a chance to go out with the 1s (starters) after an injury,” Snyder said in prep for South Carolina. “I feel like I can trust him and he’s a pretty good athlete.”