A common sight during Texas A&M's spring football drills is wide receiver Jeff Fuller and Jordan Pugh running side-by-side, each turning to locate the deep throw.

All eyes are on them, because they've dazzled onlookers with remarkable efforts. Just when you think there's no way Fuller can make the catch, he does by extending his 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame.

But just as often, Pugh has reached in and knocked the ball away.

That's a sight A&M football fans didn't see much of at the tail end of a 4-8 season that included Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas outscoring the Aggies 156-58. Those three opponents were 60-of-89 passing (67.4 percent) with eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

A&M ended the season ranked 108th in pass defense efficiency among 119 Bowl Subdivision Championships teams.

"You hate to finish like that, because we're all competitors, but it's something that we grew from, [and] we learned from," says Pugh, the senior from Plano West High School. "And it's something that's motivating us for this year. Last year was the past. We can't control it, but we can control what happens this year, and that's how we're looking at it."

One thing second-year head coach Mike Sherman did to improve his defense was move Pugh from cornerback to safety, teaming him with Trent Hunter who had an outstanding freshman season.

Hunter and Pugh have done a good job this spring making sure Fuller and the other receivers haven't run free when they escape the cornerback. The happy-go-lucky Pugh is constantly talking and making sure everyone is in the right spot, a strategy that seems to be helping.

"I think he's rallied the troops," Sherman said. "He and Hunter are good communicators back there and get us lined up. I think we're better with his leadership back there than without it."

Pugh certainly understands about change. This is his second move from corner to safety at A&M, and he admits the moves can be a hurdle at times.

"But I wouldn't say it is tough, because you get to learn the defense," Pugh said. "You get to know how every position works. Say one guy is down or going through something -- I've been through it, too. And it's fun. I like it, and it's game experience, not just for me, but for the defense."

Pugh has been moved because of his strengths, not his weaknesses. He led the team in tackles as a sophomore and was fifth last year. He has a nose for the ball, and that trait has helped him blossom this spring at safety.

"It's my personality," Pugh said. "I think [safety] fits me better. I love playing corner, don't get me wrong, but I love safety, too. You get to see [what's] on the run plays, on the pass plays. It just fits me more. I love it ... it's me. It's how I play, the way I play. I'm embracing it right now."

Most of the Aggie wide receivers have taken spills this springs as proof, especially Fuller.

"You love going against the best if you like the competition," Pugh said. "You can't let him win. It's the offense-defense thing. It's good competition between the both of us."

Fuller is preparing Pugh for what's ahead. Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas along with Oklahoma State return their starting quarterbacks with good to exceptional receiving corps, and all are South Division foes who beat A&M last year.

Pugh thinks things could be different this fall if the Aggies stick together, something he's trying to help the defense do.

"We have the ability. Everybody has the ability," Pugh said. "We have the speed. We have the base set. It's just staying together on defense."

TEXAS A&M SPRING FOOTBALL

Next practice: 6:10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday.

Maroon & White Game: 2 p.m. April 18

Final spring practice: April 24