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Texas A&M sophomore DL 'continues to get better' after five games
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- Texas A&M sophomore DL 'continues to get better' after five games
Texas A&M's defensive line has found little, if any, success pressuring the pocket through five games, recording just five sacks, while sophomore Edge Marco Jones recorded a sack and six pressures in Saturday's 34-7 win over Arkansas, a small step in the right direction. Jones and Northwestern transfer Anto Saka need to step up; the issue isn't a lack of talent, but a mix of scheme and personal accountability.
Marco Jones deserves praise for his play, while the most consistent defensive lineman, outside of senior defensive end T.J. Searcy, has been sophomore Landon Rink, who, as a reserve defensive tackle, has recorded 12 sacks, nine stops, and earned Pro Football Focus grades of 85.3, 80.9, and 74.0 against Missouri State, Kentucky, and LSU, with an elite run defense grade of 85.4.
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Through five games, Rink has played 90 snaps and has earned more playing time as a key member of the interior rotation. As the son of a former Texas football player, Rink chose Texas A&M over the Longhorns and others, feeling that his NFL development would be fast-tracked under coach Mike Elko, and so far, the young defender is on the right track.
During Monday's presser, after Landon Rink made his first start of the season against Arkansas, Mike Elko praised the sophomore DL, who is slowly but surely living up to the expectations bestowed upon him, especially as a run defender.
"He continues to get better, continues to grow. He's a young kid we had a lot of expectations for this year. He earned the right to go out there with the first group on Saturday," Elko said.
It's been quite the rollercoaster in College Station after starting 0-2 in SEC play, and while Elko won't drastically alter the starting lineup, the expectation is that Landon Rink and freshman running back KJ Edwards, who shined in Saturday's win, will continue to play significant roles, especially against No. 14 Missouri next Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M sophomore DL 'continues to get better' after five games
