AggieYell.com's series on Texas A&M's 2023 spring practice continues with a look at a potentially loaded safety and nickel group.
Returning players
Super senior Demani Richardson; team-high 73 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 TD scored in 12 games in 2022
Junior Jardin Gilbert; 61 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, team-high 2 INT in 11 games
Sophomore Jacoby Mathews; 25 tackles, 3 passes broken up in 10 games
Sophomore Bryce Anderson; 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries in 11 games
Sophomore Jarred Kerr; 22 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack in 11 games
Departures
Antonio Johnson; 71 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 forced fumbles in 9 games; first-team All-SEC (declared for the 2023 NFL Draft)
What to watch for
How will the Aggies replace Antonio Johnson? It's going to be nearly impossible to replace his talent and production, but who will step in at nickel? Both Bryce Anderson and Jarred Kerr played there some last year, but new arrival Sam McCall could get a look as well (and freshman Dalton Brooks might in the summer, when he arrives). That competition could go a lot of different ways.
Outside of that, the big question is how Jacoby Mathews is used. The surprise return of Demani Richardson was not only a pleasant one, but locked down the two starting jobs at safety between he and Jardin Gilbert. But Mathews came on strong late last year and should play more. Will he be the third safety, bouncing between positions, or will they find a way to use him in a three-safety set?
Talent-wise the Aggies are in excellent shape here. It's more a matter of how that talent gets utilized that should draw attention.
Will anything get settled in the spring?
Outside of what's already settled? No. The nickel competition should go all the way through the summer as the possible candidates get a chance to audition. A leader could emerge, but it's really unlikely anything would be set in stone.
