Primed For A Breakout: Defense

As the full on lull of the offseason officially takes effect this week, sports fans across the country will begin to look for 'what is next' and the closest thing they have to consider is the upcoming college football season.

While there is still 73 days until kick-off for the Texas A&M Aggies, there is only about 41 days until the start of the Aggies training camp and that is a lot closer than some realize.

We continue or "Breakout" series today with a closer look at who we think will be the breakout player for the Aggies on defense.

Courtney Roland - Otaro Alaka was a significant part of the Texas A&M 2014 recruiting class. Even though as a true freshman Alaka saw significant playing time in only five games, the former Cypress Falls Rivals.com 4-star outside linebacker still finished the season with 33 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Alaka's size, speed and instincts on the field allowed him to compete effectively in the SEC, even though he was just a true freshman matched up against men. His physical attributes are impressive, and his intelligence gives him the edge over opposing offenses. Alaka can read the field well allowing him to make accurate steps and be around the ball.

The experience Alaka had as a true freshman combined with the new direction of Defensive Coordinator John Chavis make Otaro Alaka my pick as breakout defensive player for 2015.

Fletcher Whiteley - I'm going to go with a newcomer and pick Justin Evans.

In spring ball, Evans performed well and is likely to win the starting job at safety this upcoming season. Evans has the ability to join Armani Watts and form a very strong safety duo that will help A&M out until they can figure the cornerback situation out.

Matt Clare - There is bound to be change anytime a new coordinator comes into a program. The Aggies signed a very impressive class of defensive backs in the 2015 class, but Newton (TX) four-star corner Roney Elam might have the best chance to make an immediate impact for Coach Chavis and this new A&M defense.

A couple of four-star defensive backs from the 2014 signing class - Watts and Harvey - earned playing time as true freshman and Elam is the caliber of athlete that can help in several ways.

Elam is my choice for the breakout player on defense for the 2015 season. He has the ability to play both corner and safety, plus Elam is a very physical player that does not mind mixing it up and making big tackles inside of the box.

Robert Sellers - I'm going to go with Justin Evans as well. Although the Aggie faithful had to wait a little longer than they wanted to see him in the maroon and white, his inclusion into spring ball with the Aggies should give him enough of a jump on being ready to be one of the starters.

Pairing him alongside sophomore Armani Watts should also help as Watts, who had a solid freshman campaign, continues to learn the game and become more solid in his reads and techniques. Add in existing and incoming depth and the safety spot should be solid moving forward.

Mark Passwaters - My pick for the defensive breakout player is a guy A&M fans have been waiting for for a couple of years: Daeshon Hall.

There's a lot of things working in his favor: he's now up to 260 pounds, he's going to play opposite Myles Garrett and he's now in a scheme that is made to order for pass rushers. John Chavis wants fast, aggressive ends that can get into the offensive backfield, and that's just what Hall was brought to A&M to do. With Garrett on the other side, you can't double team him; in most cases, he's going to be significantly quicker than the guy he's going up against.

With all of these things working in his favor, I think 2015 will be a big year for Hall.