
A quick check at the statistics shows that the Texas A&M defense improved in 2015 under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator John Chavis. Even more importantly, his stamp on the program is even more obvious with the eye test.
He has that kind of influence.
Chavis’ work was especially evident towards the end of the season. Granted, the Aggies did not face any offensive juggernauts in their last three games. Still, they held the opposition to 36 points total over those final three games, even limiting LSU and Leonard Fournette to 19 points in the regular season finale.
Also included in that late-season streak was a 25-0 shutout on the road at SEC foe Vanderbilt. It’s been over a decade since Texas A&M’s defense posted a zero.
Not since 2004 had an Aggies defense pitched a shutout and not since 2002 had it done so away from Kyle Field. Outside of the state of Texas, it’s been since the disco era that the Aggies defense blanked an opponent. In 1975, Texas A&M traveled to Kansas State and came away with a 10-0 victory.
That was a long time ago.
It’s been a while since Aggies fans had a defense it could brag about. It isn’t on par quite yet with the Wrecking Crew of the 1980s and ’90s, but this year’s Aggies defense was a solid improvement over last year, with one more game – the Music City Bowl in Nashville against Louisville – still to play.
As a team, the Aggies’ biggest improvement was against the pass ,where they allowed just 161.3 yards per game. That ranked second in the SEC. Only Georgia (146.1) gave up fewer passing yards this season. It’s also a drastic improvement over last season when Texas A&M yielded an average of 234.8 passing yards per game.
There’s still more work to do in stopping the run, but even in that area the Aggies were better statistically this season over 2014. Texas A&M gave up an average of 205.9 yards rushing during the regular season, 10 yards fewer than the 2014 defense that allowed an average of 216 yards rushing.
Of course there are several factors to consider. Another year of seasoning is certainly one. DB Armani Watts, LB Shaan Washington, DE Myles Garrett, and DE Daeshon Hall, come to mind. All improved with a year of experience and the guidance of Chavis.
Watts led the team in tackles with 111, which tied for third-best in the SEC. That’s exactly double the production from last season’s 55 tackles. Garrett led the SEC in sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (18.5) and was among the top 10 in the nation in both categories. Those stats are up slightly over last season’s 11 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Hall was also among the SEC leaders in both sacks (7) and tackles for loss (12.5), and Washington went from 58 tackles in 2014, to second-most on the team with 78 this season, including 7.5 for losses.
DB Justin Evans and LB A.J. Hilliard emerged this season as well. Both were among the team leaders in tackles with 75 and 58 respectively. DB Donovan Wilson was another Aggie defender who made strides. As a freshman, Wilson recorded 10 tackles in six games. Playing in all 12 games this season, Wilson piled up 56 tackles.
Overall, it was a much improved defense that should only get better if history is any indication of Chavis’ long and successful career. He’s won with great defenses at his other stops, and more of the same is expected in College Station.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.