The Texas A&M Aggies look to have one of the top defenses in Mike Elko’s second year as head coach. After a shaky start to the 2024 season, they settled down and played better down the stretch, finishing in the top half in points allowed, yards of total offense, and rushing. The Aggies ranked 34th in points, 63rd in yards, and 42nd in rushing.
Texas A&M will have a few new starters after losing a handful of players. The good news is that their standout linebacker is returning for what might be his last season in college.
The Texas A&M Aggies standout LB is returning for another season
Taurean York has blossomed into one of the league’s best linebackers ever since he took over as a starter during his true freshman season in 2023. Since then, York has demonstrated his abilities as an elite run defender, solid pass rusher, and in coverage, with 156 tackles, 19 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 26 starts. His accolades include an All-Freshman-SEC Team in 2023.
Taurean York had a breakout sophomore season, boasting career highs in tackles, TFLs, and pass deflections. York recorded 82 tackles, ten TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and four pass deflections in 13 starts. He finished first on the team in tackles, second in tackles for loss, third in sacks, and fifth in pass deflections.
He is ranked among the top LBs by PFF
In a PFF article, Max Chadwick goes through the top 10 linebackers to know for the 2026 NFL Draft. Chadwick ranked Taurean York as the second-best linebacker to keep an eye on during the 2025 season. He points to him proving the recruiting rankings wrong, who gave him a three-star ranking coming out of high school, while also pointing to his elite ability as a run defender and tackler.
“Like Hill, York has been a starter in each of his first two seasons. But unlike Hill, he was just a three-star recruit coming out of high school,” Chadwick said.
“York’s proven those rankings wrong thus far, leading all returning Power Four linebackers with 59 run-defense stops since 2023. His 122 first contacts on the ballcarrier are tied for fourth among that same group. York has a stocky build at 6 feet, 235 pounds and is an excellent tackler.”
He is a top prospect for 2026
Taurean York is currently listed as the third-best linebacker and 23rd-best overall prospect in PFF’s 2026 NFL Draft Big Board. With another strong performance in 2025, York could end up being a mid to late first-round to an early second-round pick in the next draft.
