Texas A&M’s defense keeps finding new pieces, and Brandon Davis-Swain looks like the latest one worth watching.
The junior transfer from Colorado made noise in the Aggies’ loss to Missouri last Saturday, piling up three tackles, a tackle for loss and a blocked field goal. For Davis-Swain, it was a breakout kind of afternoon - and a little bit of a surprise too, since it was his first start in College Station.
"I found out on Friday, they told me on Friday," Davis-Swain said to the media. "That was my first blocked field goal as well, so that was awesome."
The moment fits the kind of path Davis-Swain has taken to Texas A&M. After two seasons under NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders in Boulder, the Detroit native headed south and has already collected eight total tackles for the Aggies.
At Colorado, he logged 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble across those two years, showing the kind of disruptive traits that made him a useful piece for "Coach Prime."
So what pulled him to College Station in the first place? Davis-Swain pointed straight to the staff.
"I would definitely say the coaching staff," said the junior. "They put the most D-linemen in the NFL and you know, Coach Tone (Tony Jerod-Eddie, defensive tackles coach) and Coach E (Elijah Robinson, defensive line coach, co-DC) showed me everything and working better, technique-wise, coming here, learning more about the game. They explain all three levels to you."
That coaching has helped sharpen the edge Davis-Swain already brought with him. He described his game simply on Tuesday: power, hands, burst, and disruption.
"I'm just physical, using my hands, getting off the line, getting off blocks, disruption, really trying to be disruptive," said Davis-Swain. "Just trying to make plays for the team. Getting into the pass rush and stuff like that."
Even with Texas A&M in a rough stretch, the lineman said head coach Mike Elko has kept the group locked in. According to Davis-Swain, Elko’s message to the defensive line has been about blocking out outside noise and staying on task.
"(Elko said) To just keep playing, just stay focused and to keep our minds straight," said the lineman. "Don't veer off to what people say and stuff like that. Just keep our heads on and that our goal this Saturday is just to beat them."
The Aggies will get that chance against The Citadel Bulldogs, with kickoff set for 11:00 AM on Saturday.
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