10 Opposing Players Texas A&M Must Shut Down in 2012

The SEC is filled to the brim with deadly teams loaded with enough NFL talent to rip apart the best in the nation, hands down. Whether it be offensive or defensive weapons, each of Texas A&M's eight conference opponents have the caliber players to own the Aggies at many positions.

Just like any mythological army, however, most of these SEC teams have heroes that stand above the rest. Shut them down, and A&M can count on the rest of the game going much smoother, not to mention being exponentially simpler.

While I don't have the answers on how to shut down any of these players, what I do know is that if Sumlin and his staff are able to devise a plan on how to do so, each and every one of A&M's conference games are possible victories.

We take a look at ten players the Aggies need to shut down in order for on-the-field success to be viable.  

Nico Johnson

Notable 2011 Stats: 47 Tackles (fourth on team), 6.5 TFL

The 6'3" 245 pound senior linebacker from Alabama will easily be considered one of the best defensive players in the country next season. Ranking as the fourth best tackler on a Crimson Tide squad that had two first round draft picks, Johnson returns for his final season as the top-dog for Nick Saban's defense.

Ranked by Phil Steele as an All-SEC first team linebacker as well as a third team All-American, Johnson will be going into 2012 looking to improve his 2013 NFL Draft stock. If A&M's experienced offensive line is able to kill his stats for a day, expect the Aggie offense to be able to not only run the ball freely, but pass strongly as well.

Donte Moncrief

Notable 2011 Stats: 31 Receptions, 454 yards, 4 TDs (led in all categories)

While Ole Miss isn't exactly a giant threat to anyone in the country, A&M should always take heed of the "on any given Saturday" maxim. The Rebels are certainly no pushover and must be paid attention to accordingly by Sumlin and the Aggies.

The sophomore wide receiver is Mississippi's biggest threat by far. The 6'2" 214 pound big shot led his team last season in receptions, yards and touchdowns as a true freshman, earning him many honors and awards over the course of the year. Sumlin has to be able to shut down this young star when A&M visits Oxford mid-season.

Phil Steele ranked him as a fourth team All-SEC wideout entering 2012.

Jonathan Bostic

Notable 2011 Stats: 94 Tackles (led team), 10 TFL, 3 Sacks

Entering his final season with Florida, the 6'1" 243 pound linebacker will be leading this star-studded Gator defense in their quest to return to the top of the SEC East. Visiting Texas A&M early on will provide a great test to this powerful squad.

While Florida's entire defensive line will be a giant challenge for the Aggies, shutting down Bostic will confuse and disorient the Gators' most dangerous side of the ball. Phil Steele ranked the senior as an All-SEC second team linebacker.

Knile Davis

Notable 2011 Stats: None; Did not Play due to Injury

Even though this young running back didn't get to play a down last season for the Razorbacks, the league still knows that he is one of the most threatening players out there. Leading the conference's running backs in yards during his sophomore 2010 season, expect Davis to explode in 2012 under the purview of the program's new head coach John L. Smith.

Ranked by Phil Steele as a first team All-SEC halfback as well as a second team All-American, the Aggie defense will be hard-pressed to hold him in check during the home match-up. However, if they can, A&M will have a giant shot at taking down this Arkansas team that is just asking for revenge.

Johnthan Banks

Notable 2011 Stats: 71 Tackles (fourth on team), 8 TFL, 3 Sacks, 5 INTs (led team)

A shut down corner out of Mississippi State, the 6'2" 185 pound senior will be one of QB Jameill Showers' toughest tests during the season, assuming he's A&M's starter. With blazing speed, top-notch hands and a ticket to the NFL in 2013, Johnthan Banks is a force to be reckoned with.

Ranked by Phil Steele as a first team All-SEC cornerback as well as a second team All-American, the young man is dangerous when covering just about any wideout. Even with receivers like Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu, Banks can not be underestimated on the field.

James Franklin

Notable 2011 Stats: 238 Completions, 2,865 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs

As one of Missouri's only "saving graces" as they enter the SEC, the big-time 6'2" 225 pound quarterback is revered around the conference's eastern division. Leading his program into their new home, the junior will be looking end their season at Big 12 moving partner Texas A&M with a win. For the Aggies, they will be looking to take down the Tigers for the first time at home in three years. 

Ranked by Phil Steele as a fourth team All-SEC QB, Franklin is difficult to contain. New DC Mark Snyder will have his hands full trying to keep in check both Franklin's arm and legs. The mobile nature will make it especially hard on this Aggie defense.

Corey Lemonier

Notable 2011 Stats: 47 Tackles, 13.5 TFL, 9.5 Sacks (led team)

The 6'4" 242 pound defensive lineman for Auburn will provide another gigantic threat to this experienced A&M offensive line. Considered one of the best in the conference down in the trenches, the Tigers' leading sack specialist is dangerous.

Ranked by Phil Steele as a first-team All-SEC DE in addition to his third team All-American placement, new starting QB Jameill Showers has to be prepared to counteract the junior's top-notch rushing skills. Sumlin and his offensive line will have a heavy mid-season task shutting Lemonier down, but the effort will be more than worth it. 

AJ McCarron

Notable 2011 Stats: 219 Completions, 2,634 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs

Leading Alabama to a National Title over LSU last season, this young QB is one of the best in the business. As Nick Saban's presence on the field, McCarron was able to morph this offense into a powerful force by centering the entire operation around junior RB Trent Richardson, not himself. McCarron became more a of a field general and less of a superstar, giving him an invaluable quality in humility and self-control.

Ranked by Phil Steele as a third team All-SEC quarterback, the Aggies would actually have a chance to walk into Bryant-Denny next season and emerge victorious if they could throw McCarron off his game. The young junior will have a lot of pressure riding on him following the National Title last year, making it the perfect time for Sumlin and his defense to do some damage.

Tyrann Mathieu

Notable 2011 Stats: 76 Tackles (led team), 7.5 TFL, 2 INTs; 27 Punt Returns, 421 yards, 2 TDs

The "Honey Badger" is easily one of the most interesting characters in the entire country. Playing cornerback for LSU, Mathieu is more a roaming threat than an "all-coverage" kind of defensive back. His freedom on the field to find the ball and make plays makes him one of the biggest threats A&M will face on the offensive side of the ball.

Furthermore, Mathieu has proven himself a better than decent punt returner. Racking up impressive numbers, every college football fan in the country has seen his big-time return against Georgia in the SEC Championship game for a touchdown. Elusiveness would almost be an understatement.

Ranked by Phil Steele as an All-SEC and All-American first team cornerback and punt returner, Texas A&M would do themselves a huge favor at home by shutting down Mathieu. If Sumlin succeeds, he will give his squad a giant advantage in their quest to put up a win against Les Miles and LSU.

Tyler Wilson

Notable 2011 Stats: 277 Completions, 3,638 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs

Known around the country for his strong arm and mobile nature, Arkansas senior stud QB Tyler Wilson will be the class of the SEC next season. With one of the best touchdown to interception ratios in the country last year, Wilson has shown himself to be on par with the best to ever come through the conference.

Ranked by Phil Steele as a first team All-SEC QB as well as third team All-American, Wilson will be looking to once again embarrass Texas A&M on the football field. Throwing for 510 yards and three touchdowns last season in Cowboy Stadium in Arkansas' comeback victory over the Aggies, it will be up to the A&M defense to shut Wilson down and snare some revenge for the heart-wrenching loss in 2011.