Kris Weeks, K.C. Nlemchi, Myles Garrett

Texas A&M's Myles Garrett (15) fights off blocks from SMU's Kris Weeks (75) and K.C. Nlemchi (25) during the Aggies' 58-6 win last month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(Tony Gutierrez)

You may not have noticed it amid the 76 points that Texas A&M has allowed in the last two weeks against Arkansas and Mississippi State, but Aggie defensive end Myles Garrett is closing in on Jadeveon Clowney's SEC freshman record for sacks.

Garrett, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound former five-star prospect from Arlington, has 6.5 sacks on the season, just 1.5 short of Clowney's SEC record for freshmen.

"I wasn't even aware of that. Somebody pointed that out the other day," Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. "He's a very talented young man obviously, from his time in high school and recruiting, to be the No. 1 DE in the country as a prospect. I think that he is extremely explosive, he's very, very gifted naturally. We're working on his technique, which is something that all young guys are going to do."

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, whose third-ranked Rebels travel to College Station this Saturday, said the freshman is a player for whom his offense must account at all times.

"He is a phenomenal talent, really quick-twitched," Freeze said. "He's got some good pass-rush moves that he's worked on in his craft. He's a guy that you'd better know where he is."

Garrett's pace is slowing however, as he has only one sack in his last three games. Sumlin said offenses are starting to find ways to help tackles charged with blocking him. While that's been frustrating for Garrett, Sumlin said it's also a sign of respect.

"We sat him down a couple weeks ago -- he was frustrated -- to explain to him that's the best compliment you could have when you have running backs or tight ends chipping you on the way out and sliding to you; that's good," Sumlin said. "He's kind of gone through that phase of it. Right now is a hard time for all talented freshmen that have been starting midway through the season -- particularly in this league. He's still very, very young, he's raw, he's getting better, and over the course of time he's going to pick up some weight and get stronger. I think he'll be the first to tell you there's still a lot of room for him to improve."