Texas A&M LB Taurean York is ready to dominate this season

Before Jimbo Fisher was fired, one of his final recruiting victories during his tenure at Texas A&M was securing the commitment of former 2023 3-star linebacker Taurean York, one of the most underrated athletes of the cycle.

After earning the starting middle linebacker job his freshman season, the Temple, Texas, native took full advantage of his opportunity, showing flashes of brilliance while finishing with 74 tackles (38 solo), three sacks and a forced fumble on the year.

While the 2023 season was a disappointment, the defensive line showed promise, and heading into the 2024 campaign, York, along with former Pitt linebacker Solomon DeSheilds, has a chance to flourish behind what could be the best defensive line in the SEC.

Regardless of his performance last season, York continues to fly under the radar nationally, but not with his team. Recognized as a 2024 team captain, York joined head coach Mike Elko, defensive tackle Shemar Turner and left tackle Trey Zuhn III at last week’s SEC Media Days, offering a glimpse of what we should expect this fall.

However, it’s not so much what York said that matters, compared to Turner’s quote regarding his teammate’s development this offseason, noting how York’s love for the game accelerated his game at such a young age:

“The respect he’s gotten since he was a freshman is crazy. The way he approaches the game… He loves football.”

“It’s crazy to have a guy like that at such a young age. He quickly gained everyone’s respect.”

As the saying goes, “respect is earned, not given,” and York’s determined demeanor and intelligence are unmatched. At the same time, his offseason work under new strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffit will likely produce a bigger, stronger player with the same speed and athleticism to fill holes and carve his way into the backfield.

Adding five pounds of mass thus far, York’s current 6’0″, 235-pound frame looks more than ready to take on the 2024 roster, starting against Notre Dame on Saturday, Aug. 31.

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