Texas A&M football outlook for spring 2025: Aggies hoping to add more LB contributors
Texas A&M Football Outlook for Spring 2025: Aggies Hope to Add More Linebacker Contributors
As the Texas A&M Aggies prepare for the spring football season of 2025, expectations are high for a team with tremendous potential but a few positions in need of fine-tuning. While the Aggies have made notable strides in recruiting and player development over the past several seasons, one area of particular focus heading into 2025 is the linebacker position. As the team looks to build on the progress made in 2024, they are hoping to develop additional linebacker contributors to further solidify their defensive core.
The linebacker position is a critical component of any football team, and for Texas A&M, it has been an area of both promise and challenge in recent years. While the Aggies have had standout players in the past, including some who have moved on to professional opportunities, there is a need to build depth and versatility at the linebacker position. With spring practice fast approaching, head coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin are both focusing on finding more contributors to fill important roles for the 2025 season.
The Linebacker Position: A Key to Defensive Success
The linebacker corps is often referred to as the heart of the defense. These players are responsible for a variety of critical tasks: stopping the run, defending the pass, rushing the quarterback, and providing leadership on the field. For Texas A&M, these duties are especially important given their conference opponents, who often feature high-powered offenses capable of making big plays in both the running and passing game.
Heading into 2025, the Aggies’ defensive scheme is expected to feature a hybrid approach, with an emphasis on both stopping the run and defending against the spread offenses that dominate the SEC. This defensive approach requires linebackers to be versatile, capable of playing in space and being physical at the point of attack. Texas A&M will need to not only find reliable starters but also develop the depth necessary to compete at the highest level.
Key Losses and the Need for New Contributors
As the Aggies enter the spring, they are coming off a season where they saw some key departures from their linebacker corps. Several players who had been staples in the defense in previous years, such as senior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, have moved on, either graduating or declaring for the NFL Draft. This leaves a void that the coaching staff must address quickly in the spring.
While the team has talented returnees, the loss of experienced players means that young players and newcomers will need to step up to fill those gaps. The hope for the 2025 spring season is to find players who can contribute both as starters and as depth pieces for the defensive unit. Texas A&M cannot afford to rely solely on a few key players in a position as dynamic and physically demanding as linebacker. The development of multiple contributors, particularly those who can handle a variety of roles within the scheme, is crucial to the Aggies’ defensive success.
Returnees: Building Around Experience
Despite the loss of several key linebackers, Texas A&M does return some experienced players to the linebacker corps. One of the most important returnees is senior linebacker Chris Russell Jr., who has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the team. Russell brings a blend of size, athleticism, and leadership that the Aggies will need in 2025. Throughout the 2024 season, Russell displayed a high motor and the ability to cover both the ground and the opponents’ top playmakers. He will likely be one of the leaders in the linebacker room as the Aggies move into the spring season.
Additionally, the Aggies have several young players who gained valuable playing time during the previous season. Junior linebacker Andre White Jr. has been a key contributor and is expected to have a more prominent role in 2025. White’s consistency, especially in pass coverage, gives Texas A&M confidence that he can become a reliable option in both base and sub-packages.
The challenge for both of these players, as well as others returning, will be to take on a larger leadership role in the linebacker group. With new faces entering the program and more depth needed, Russell and White will need to provide stability and mentoring to their younger teammates. They must help facilitate the transition of inexperienced players and develop the overall depth necessary for a successful defense.
New Faces: Freshman and Transfers Making Their Mark
Spring football is always an exciting time for teams to develop new talent, and Texas A&M is no exception. In 2025, the Aggies have a wealth of new talent joining the linebacker room, both in the form of highly-touted recruits and experienced transfers.
A big name to watch is incoming freshman linebacker Trevin McFadden. McFadden, a highly ranked recruit, has the physical attributes that make him a potential standout for the Aggies. Known for his quickness, explosiveness, and ability to play in coverage, McFadden brings an all-around skill set that will give defensive coordinator DJ Durkin flexibility in how he uses him. The challenge for McFadden, however, will be adjusting to the speed and physicality of SEC football. If he can make an impact early, McFadden could become a key contributor for the Aggies in 2025.
In addition to McFadden, Texas A&M has also secured the transfer of linebacker Jason Johnson, a graduate transfer from a Power Five program. Johnson has experience playing at the highest level and brings much-needed depth and leadership to the linebacker position. His presence in spring practice will be important as the Aggies look to solidify their defense. Johnson’s ability to step in and make an immediate impact could be crucial, especially in terms of providing a veteran presence for a unit that will be looking for more contributors.
With these fresh faces on the roster, Texas A&M hopes to develop a more dynamic and versatile linebacker group. With players like McFadden and Johnson pushing the returnees for starting spots, there will be intense competition throughout the spring, which will only benefit the Aggies as they head into the fall.
Position Battles: Key Players Competing for Roles
Spring football is not just about developing new players but also about identifying which players will step up and earn starting spots or critical roles on the team. The linebacker position is expected to feature intense competition, with several players vying for key spots in the rotation. The need for more contributors, especially with Texas A&M’s demanding SEC schedule, means that coaching staff will look to get the most out of every player.
At the middle linebacker position, a battle between Chris Russell Jr. and Andre White Jr. seems likely. Both players bring different skill sets to the table—Russell’s power and leadership versus White’s speed and coverage ability. Finding the right balance between these two will be crucial for the Aggies’ success in the upcoming season. The middle linebacker position will anchor the defense, and the decision made in the spring could shape the team’s fortunes.
On the outside, players like McFadden and Johnson will be competing for snaps with returning contributors such as sophomore linebacker Darius Jones. Jones had an encouraging freshman season and will be hoping to take his game to the next level in 2025. His ability to play in pass coverage, combined with his natural athleticism, makes him a valuable asset to the defense. The battle for outside linebacker spots will be key, as these players will be asked to rush the passer, cover tight ends and running backs, and set the edge against the run.
Ultimately, Texas A&M’s success at linebacker in 2025 will depend on the competition in the spring and how quickly the coaching staff can identify the best combinations of players for various defensive schemes. This position group will be an important focal point as they prepare for an SEC schedule that demands versatility and depth at every position.
The Aggies’ Defensive Strategy: Linebackers at the Forefront
Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s system will rely heavily on the ability of the linebackers to be multifaceted. The Aggies are expected to run a hybrid defensive scheme that will involve different front-seven alignments depending on the opponent. This means that Texas A&M’s linebackers must be adaptable and able to function both as traditional run-stoppers and as athletes capable of covering the pass in space.
For the Aggies to have a successful 2025 campaign, their linebackers must excel in all phases of the game. They will be tasked with shutting down elite running backs in the SEC, while also being able to cover dynamic pass-catching tight ends and running backs in the passing game. This will require a deep and versatile group of linebackers, something that Texas A&M hopes to develop in the spring of 2025.
