Once the 2025 offseason began, Texas A&M's positions of need did not include linebackers, mainly because returning senior Scooby Williams and junior Taurean York led the way with enough depth behind them. While William's rise from his up-and-down play at Florida to his turnaround season with the Aggies became quite the storyline, Taurean York's elevated play last season was a sign of what's to come.
A Jimbo Fisher recruit, York was a three-star prospect who originally intended to follow current Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko to Duke during his two seasons in North Carolina. Still, he made the right choice after surprisingly earning the starting middle linebacker job during his 2023 freshman season, amassing 74 tackles and three sacks and earning plenty of national praise.
After entering last season with even added pressure to elevate his play, York struggled out of the gate but quickly made a significant impact in run and pass defense, leading the team with 82 tackles, 2.2 sacks, one interception and four pass deflections.
On Monday, Pro Football Focus writer Max Chadwick released his Top 10 college linebacker rankings, and to no surprise, York came it at No. 2 behind former Texas A&M commit and current Texas Longhorns star Anthony Hill.
"Like Anthony Hill Jr., York has been a starter in each of his first two college seasons. But unlike Hill, he was just a three-star recruit coming out of high school."
"York has proven those rankings wrong thus far, leading all returning Power Four linebackers with 59 run-defense stops since 2023. His 122 plays with first contact on ball carriers are tied for fourth among that group. York has a stocky build at 6-foot and 235 pounds, and he is an excellent tackler."
Taurean York finished the 2024 season with a 70 overall defensive grade, a 71.0 run defense grade, and a 77.9 pass rush grade per Pro Football Focus. York's run defense can always improve, while his coverage skillset is based more on positioning, which led to his game-sealing interception vs. LSU las October.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: PFF names Texas A&M's Taurean York one of the top returning LBs
