As Texas A&M’s fall practice period enters its final stretch before the Aggies prepare for the opening game of the 2024 season against Notre Dame, head coach Mike Elko, offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman spoke to local media following the program’s 14th fall practice on Saturday.
Before his team’s final fall scrimmage game on Sunday, Bateman, who has been praised by several players for his coaching tactics, talked about the tremendous progress made by A&M’s cornerback staff, which includes five new veterans from the transfer portal, including former Alabama CB Dezz Ricks.
Ricks, a 5-star prospect out of the prestigious IMG Academy in the 2023 recruiting class, left Tuscaloosa after one season, knowing that joining forces with two of the best defensive players in College Station was the right move for his playing career. According to Bateman, Ricks has stood out consistently this month as his outstanding traits have been on display throughout the fall.
“Dezz (Ricks) has really impressed us… He has continued to impress at every practice and is really talented.”
“There is real competition for that corner room and I think it will be a real strength.”
When you associate the term “strength” with Texas A&M’s cornerback rotation, it’s certainly a positive change from last season’s poor results. Senior corner Tyreek Chappell also noted that with the added depth, speed and length at outside corner and nickel, this unit has enough strength to be formidable and take on any offense.
“A shutdown, lockdown secondary… I think we can have the best defense in the league this year.”
Texas A&M (No. 20) hosts Notre Dame (No. 7) on Saturday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
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