What defense will A&M run this year (and will it be any better)?

(This is question three in the 30 questions/30 days series on the 2009 Texas A&M football team)

If the Aggies don’t have the personnel to bring back the Wrecking Crew, at least they’re going to run the defense that made them famous. After more than a half-decade away, the 3-4 is making a return to College Station. Unfortunately, that may be more out of necessity than anything.

A&M is short at defensive tackle, and may be even more thin if touted signee Chris Henderson doesn’t get in to school (even though he’s on the 105-man roster, odds are he won’t). This means that Tony Jerod-Eddie, Eddie Brown and (hopefully) Rod Davis are ready to man the nose. Coach Mike Sherman likes his young tackles, especially Jerod-Eddie, who he feels is strong and quick enough to take on double-teams and still be disruptive.

Brown may also see time playing at defensive end on running downs, with Matt Moss starting at the other end position. It’s during passing downs that one of last year’s defensive ends, Von Miller, may be working with his hand on the ground, or rushing from a stand-up position. Miller will be the starter at the “Jack” position, a hybrid between end and outside linebacker. Think someone like a Jason Glenn, and that’s what the Aggies are hoping to get out of Miller (and Matt Featherston).

Linebacker, as it has been for years, remains a question mark. This season, the linebacking corps is going to be much faster than last year, but will be painfully young. Sherman is very excited about Kyle Mangan (who was on the depth chart last year as a fullback) tacking over one of the inside linebacker positions as a redshirt freshman. Mangan appears to be a quick study and a leader, and that’s a good thing—the Ags are going to need that. Ricky Cavanaugh, who saw a little playing time as a true freshman last year, stands at the top of the depth chart at one of the outside positions as camp starts, and Garrick Williams, a starter last year, might start again this year on the outside.

But of all the positions on the field, linebacker may be the one where youth gets served quickly. Johnathan Stewart, from Shreveport, La., may be a starter on opening day. Sean Porter and Aaron Arteburn are two other may be two other guys that see playing time quickly.

With Jordan Pugh and Trent Hunter, the safety positions are well-manned. Corner, however, is a glaring need. If JUCO transfer Coryell Judie doesn’t get in, the Aggies are in serious trouble. If he does, Judie should be able to hold one corner position on his own. Terence Frederick, who struggled last year as a true freshman, will probably start at the other corner, though Justin McQueen may fight for playing time. The much-maligned Jordan Peterson has also returned to corner, and may be assigned to cover the slot man in the nickel. Dustin Harris and Steven Terrell may be forced into playing as true freshmen as well.

Will the Aggies be as bad defensively this year as last? Probably not, because they’re not nearly as slow and Joe Kines’ defensive scheme has been simplified and adapted to the team’s personnel. But expecting them to be in the top tier of the Big 12 may be a year premature.