Texas A&M Linebacker Seizes Opportunity in Win Over Mississippi State

COLLEGE STATION — Opportunity arises when talent meets timing, and for Texas A&M football linebacker Daymion Sanford, that time is now. Aggies starting linebacker Scooby Williams missed his second consecutive game of the season in Week 6 against Mississippi State, so Sanford stepped into the starting role.

In the game, Sanford recorded eleven tackles, 2½ tackles for loss, 1½ sacks, and one interception, showcasing his talent on the field. “Mentally, he never, ever blinked,” said head coach Mike Elko. “I told him, ‘I love you, you gotta just keep working, you gotta keep grinding, your chance is gonna come, and you just gotta be ready.’”

Sanford made a significant impact early in the game, recording a sack on the Bulldogs’ first defensive drive, putting them behind the chains. The junior from Katy finished with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack overall.

One of his standout moments was a second-quarter interception that positioned the Aggies back on their own 36-yard line. This turnover led to a 64-yard drive by A&M, resulting in the game’s first touchdown. “I knew he was a ballplayer,” running back Rueben Owens II said of Sanford. “He practices hard, so his going out there showing what he could do really solidified him.”

Throughout the season, Sanford has appeared in every game, tallying 19 total tackles, 4½ tackles for loss, and 2½ sacks. His snap count increased from just 33 over the first two weeks to more than 40 in recent games.

<p“His chance has come and he’s played really, really well,” Elko commented on Sanford’s performance. “Another really, really big night tonight.” Before 2025, Sanford had played in 26 games, but only started three times.

Williams has been listed as day-to-day for the last two weeks and remains questionable for the upcoming game against the Florida Gators. Regardless of Williams’ readiness, Sanford has earned the support of his coach and teammates. “I think he’s starting to get more and more confident in what we’re doing,” Elko added. “He’s a really great blitzer, and he’s got a lot of twitch and athleticism. So yeah, he fits into our defense exactly.”