Mid-season report card: defense

I had a really hard time deciding how to approach this, considering the really big separation between the starters and backups, so I took a copout and graded them separately.

Myles Garrett (14 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery) has missed one full game and enough of two others that he's been out for about a third of the season. But, when he has been on the field, he's endured double- or triple-teams and constant holding and still dominated. What he's done while taking on multiple blocks and/or while hurt has been remarkable. While Garrett has been less than 100%, Daeshon Hall (24 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries) has picked up the slack and then some, playing the best football of his life. Both players have become significantly better against the run and remain devastating pass rushers. They're the best pair of defensive ends in America. Grade: A

And now the backups. Jarrett Johnson (11 tackles, 4 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 safety) has had moments, particularly rushing the passer, where he's been surprisingly good. There have also been a lot of situations, particularly against the run, where he has been eliminated by blockers or out of position. Qualen Cunningham (6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack) has been a disappointment so far, providing little pass rush and getting beaten up in the running game. When he comes on the field, teams target him. James Lockhart (7 tackles, 1 TFL) has been stronger against the run than his stats indicate. He has held up well at the point of attack and has denied running backs the edge frequently. Grade: C-

One of the primary reasons the Aggie defense is better overall is the work of the five-man tackle rotation. The best of the bunch to date is Zaycoven Henderson (14 tackles, 2.5 TFL, .5 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 fumble recovery), who has frequently forced his way onto the other side of the ball to disrupt opponents, especially against the run. Kingsley Keke (13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 pass broken up) has been a revelation, becoming another reliable big body who holds up in the running game and can make an occasional big play as a pass rusher. Daylon Mack (9 tackles, 1 TFL, .5 sacks) isn't putting up the huge numbers that people expected from him, but he's improved significantly from the start of the season and has held up well against constant double teams. His ability to push one or two lineman back into the backfield makes him a major asset. Hardreck Walker (8 tackles, 1 forced fumble) has returned from last year's obscurity to become a major component of the group's success, doing a lot of the grunt work and doing solid work against the run when he's in the game. Reggie Chevis (10 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble) has been the surprise of the group with his non-stop motor. He's played far more than anyone expected and has done more than hold his own. Grade: B+

A group that was much-maligned after a poor job last year has improved significantly in 2016. The biggest improvement has been shown by Shaan Washington (45 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 5 passes broken up, 2 forced fumbles), who has become one of the SEC's best linebackers in his senior season. He's running down backs on the edge, then blitzing up the middle to create havoc in the passing game. Otaro Alaka (29 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 pass broken up) has moved into the middle and provided a steadying influence at a position where the Aggies have been a mess for multiple years. Richard Moore (12 tackles, 2 TFl, 1 sack) hasn't played nearly as much as the starters, but he's held his own and has not shied away from taking on larger ballcarriers.

The backups have also contributed in a big way. Claude George (26 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks) has been instant defense when he enters the game. He may not always be in the right place, but he makes a lot big plays. Freshman Tyrel Dodson (15 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 fumble recovery) has proven himself to have a nose for the ball and hasn't been intimidated by older SEC players. He saw more minutes against Tennessee than he had in previous games, and his role could keep expanding. Grade: A-

All three of A&M's safeties are playing at an outstanding level, making key plays at big moments. Justin Evans (48 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INT, 6 passes broken up, 1 blocked kick) is playing as well as anyone at his position, even being named mid-season defensive player of the year by NFL.com. He's a force against the run and has become dynamic defender in the short passing game, blowing up passes around the line of scrimmage. He's also become better against the deeper passes, picking off two throws down the field that were deflected or bobbled.

If anyone is playing at an equal level to Evans, it's Armani Watts (36 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT). Watts has played exceptional football since the Arkansas game and has forced multiple turnovers deep in A&M territory to turn away opponents. Like Evans, he's been strong in run support and has destroyed multiple short passes.

Donovan Wilson (29 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up) has played all over the field so far this year. While he hasn't been the turnover machine he was in 2015, he's still a force to be reckoned with around the line of scrimmage and as a blitzer. He's not as effective when used as a corner, and that experiment seems to be coming to an end. He's played his best football the past couple of weeks.

Larry Pryor (6 tackles) has served as an occasional fill-in and hasn't shown any signs of struggling, which has to be a relief to the coaching staff as he'll be needed plenty in 2017.

The only area where you can nick this disruptive group is in pass coverage, and a lot of the yards given up in the middle of the field come when they're playing two-deep zone. They're outstanding and appear to be really hitting their stride. Grade: A-

This has been the real weakness of the defense. The woes of the secondary, but the corners in particular, are big reasons UCLA and Arkansas were able to hang around against the Aggies.

Nick Harvey (37 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 6 passes broken up, 1 fumble recovery) started off the season badly, struggling especially against Arkansas when matched up with Keon Hatcher. He may have had his best game of the season against Tennessee, however, as the made six tackles, including a critical one in overtime, deflected 2 passes and recovered a fumble.

Priest Willis (24 tackles, .5 TFL, 7 passes broken up, 1 INT) had a bad outing against UCLA, was up and down against Arkansas but has turned it on of late. He broke up three passes and allowed only one catch against Tennessee, giving the Aggies hope he can be a physical corner they can count on in man coverage.

Noel Ellis (2 tackles, 1 INT) returned last week after missing three weeks for undisclosed issues and helped make an impact. He's not a physical nickel, but he's the best cover corner A&M has right now against slot receivers.

Alex Sezer (14 tackles, 1 pass broken up) has played far more than anyone expected, especially in the Maverick scheme (3 down linemen, as many as 6 DBs). He's not much in coverage, but he can rush the passer with his speed and has been a sure tackler.

Deshawn Capers-Smith (5 tackles) started against Prairie View when Willis was unavailable and was solid. But he has played very little since then. Reports on Roney Elam (1 tackle) have been good since the summer, but he hasn't been able to break into the lineup even when Harvey and Willis have struggled. Grade: C