Aggies Safety Room Could Be A Defensive Strength with Demani Richardson, Jardin Gilbert

We're a couple of months away from the start of the 2023 college football campaign and rankings are being published for teams that have high hopes for a successful season. 

Texas A&M is hoping to bounce back from what can only be called a disappointing and sometimes head-scratching season that saw the program finish with a 5-7 record, just 2-6 in SEC play.

The Aggies have high hopes for a rebound season and coach Jimbo Fisher and Co. have been working hard to keep the program relevant on the national landscape.

As Fisher continues to build the program, the safety position is one that is seeing a lot of talk entering the new season. SBNation previewed the position and thinks that experience and talent will once again dominate the safety room.

"Who did we lose? Essentially, no one," the media outlet stated. "Hence why this group is so experienced. Perhaps the only thing that could be categorized as a 'loss' is the fact that sophomore Bryce Anderson (who saw spot duty at safety in 2022) is likely moving to nickel corner to fill the void left behind by Antonio Johnson, who is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars."

And the list of returning names is impressive and important at the same time:

"Who do we bring back? Demani Richardson is back for a fifth year in Aggieland, something A&M football fans should be over the moon about. It’s hard to overstate how rare and valuable it is to have a FIFTH YEAR STARTER on the back end of your secondary. Richardson set career highs in tackles (73) and passes defended (5) in 2022, and also scored the first two defensive touchdowns of his career. Let’s hope he gets to end his college career on a high note in 2023.

"Jardin Gilbert moved into a full-time starter role in 2022, replacing Leon O’Neal, and responded with 61 tackles, 2 INTs and 4 passes defended."

There are other notable names as well, as SBNation points out. Jacoby Matthews and Jared Kerr will both be important pieces of the safety room as well.

The overall grade for the safety room is an A- entering the new season:

"While it’s unlikely any of these guys end up as first-round NFL Draft picks, there’s talent, experience and depth. The Aggies had the No. 1 pass defense in the country last season, and this group was a big reason why. With everyone coming back, there’s no reason to think they won’t be a strength headed into a very pivotal 2023 football season."

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