Week 13's Overnight Sensation: Marco Jones, Defensive End

Each Monday during the 2025 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s “Overnight Sensation.”

On a day that depth received a majority of Texas A&M's minutes, some contributors stood above the rest.

True freshman Marco Jones recorded a team-leading seven tackles and a tackle for loss in the Aggies' shutout of Samford, 48-0.

Playing the most snaps of any defensive player (24) on Saturday, Jones was the most impactful guy on Jay Bateman's unit.

“It was good. It felt really good,” Jones said. “Always good to get out on the field and really get to play pretty free. It was good. It was a fun time. Got to enjoy a good game with a lot of the guys.”

Of his seven tackles, three of which were solo stops, the Dubin, Calif. native did not allow a gain over three yards.

He also logged his third-and-a-half tackle for loss, helping the Aggies match their season-high with 11 TFLs vs. the Bulldogs. In the fourth quarter, Samford was looking to convert its first third down of the game. Instead, Jones came off the edge to drop quarterback Quincy Crittendon for a loss of four.

“Today is more about the fact that we had a lot of kids who haven't played a lot of football, who went out there and held them to 0-for-14 (on third down),” head coach Mike Elko said. “I think that's a really cool thing. I think that means an awful lot about how important it is to those guys.”

In total, the defense limited the visitors to 77 total yards, the lowest offensive output by an opponent since 1996 when the “Wrecking Crew” allowed just 70 yards in a 55-0 win over North Texas.

“Some people have been knocking on our defense here and there,” Jones said. “When we play really well, we're a good defense. We just got to take advantage. And we did what we were supposed to do today, and I think that really showed.

“We really took pride in what we did today and didn't try to just coast through this game.”

This past year, Jones has been waiting in the wings behind a group of talented pass rushers. Defensive end Cashius Howell is just one sack away from passing Myles Garrett's 2014 output.

“They mean a lot,” Jones said of the upperclassmen recognized on Senior Day. “You see guys that are really talented and really giving it their all. They don't just do it for themselves.

“All the older guys helped me out... I don't think we would be in the position that we are without them being able to help us elevate our play.”

Now 11-0, the Aggies are in uncharted waters. A successful trip to Austin would mean an SEC Championship appearance before the College Football Playoff begins.

A&M could play six more games this season, and certain depth pieces will have to produce when their name is called if A&M wants to keep the dream alive.

Jones’ freshman flashes have earned him a role as a reliable depth piece that Elko & Co. can lean on if necessary.

Jones’ stats vs. Samford
Tackles: 7
Solo Tackles: 3
Sacks: 0
TFLs: 1

Jones’ 2025 stats
Tackles: 20
Solo Tackles: 10
Sacks: 2.5
TFLs: 3.5