The safeties are one group that needs to step forward for the Texas A&M defense in 2025. Last year there were flashes. Really! But busted coverages and missed tackles haunted the back end. The good news? The Aggies bring back their top contributors and there’s no excuse for this unit not to improve.
Who did we lose?
- Trey Jones III moved on along with a couple of depth guys who didn’t see much action. Jones gave A&M some rotation snaps, but the core pieces of this group are all back.
Who do we bring back?
- Bryce Anderson is the senior voice of the secondary and a guy the coaches trust to line everyone up. Injuries slowed him last year, but he’s got the range and leadership you want at free safety. If he stays healthy, Anderson could finally put together a nice season.
- Dalton Brooks is the hammer. A thumper who loves contact and can clean up plays around the line of scrimmage. The challenge for him is being consistent in coverage, because SEC QBs will find mismatches.
- Marcus Ratcliffe is the big-bodied chess piece. Ratcliffe made a leap in 2024 with multiple interceptions and showed he can cover tight ends while also blitzing off the edge. Expect him to be used in that hybrid role that Elko loves.
- Myles Davis is a sophomore who saw action mostly on special teams but has the athleticism to push for reps. Coaches praised his closing speed during Spring ball.
- Jarred Kerr is another veteran who has seen just about everything. He may not start, but he’s the type of steady depth every SEC team needs.
What other names should we know?
- Rashad “Tom Tom” Johnson Jr. is the freshman to watch. He was a top recruit with legit speed, and while year one may be more about learning, don’t be surprised if he finds a role in dime looks or special teams.
Overall Grade: B
It’s a veteran heavy group with Anderson, Brooks, and Ratcliffe all returning. That’s a luxury compared to the turnover at corner. Experience is there. Will they be able to clean up the mistakes? Missed
tackles and busted coverages killed this team last year, and our returning safeties were right in the middle of it. If Elko’s attention and the new defensive staff do their job, this could turn into one of the better safety rooms in the SEC. But until we see it on Saturdays, it’s hard for me to go higher than a B.
