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Texas A&M Football: How can Aggies replace Justin Madubuike?

By Shelbie Warr

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 29: Bryan London II #9 of the Texas State Bobcats celebrates with Justin Madubuike #52 after an interception against the Texas State Bobcats during the first half at Kyle Field on August 29, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 29: Bryan London II #9 of the Texas State Bobcats celebrates with Justin Madubuike #52 after an interception against the Texas State Bobcats during the first half at Kyle Field on August 29, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Junior defensive tackle Justin Madubuike has chosen to declare for the NFL Draft and skip the Texas Bowl. Where does this leave Texas A&M football?

Texas A&M’s best and most active defender will not be around for the Texas Bowl later this month or for the next season as the Aggie defensive tackle has declared for the NFL Draft. His post about leaving Aggieland can be seen below. He had 45 tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven quarterback pressures and 11.5 tackles for loss this season.

This is a huge loss for a Texas A&M defensive line who is getting ready to face a strong running back in Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard.

For the Texas Bowl, you will see a lot more of Jayden Peevy who sits behind Madubuike and opposite starter Bobby Brown. Of course, Peevy is a junior as well and has a choice to make as well. If the team were to lose both for the bowl game, there could be some trouble in Houston for the Aggies. I don’t anticipate that happening though.

Peevy has registered 32 tackles, two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in a backup role this season. He also has broken up a pass and blocked a kick. What does that tell us? He is no slouch and is very much ready to step into that role as the starting defensive tackle, opposite Bobby Brown, for the Texas Bowl and the 2020 season.

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There is also sophomore Josh Rogers who hasn’t had as much playing time as Brown or Peevy, but with enough practice time and some playing time in the Texas Bowl, he could be ready to go to assist in filling that hole in the 2020 season.