yahoo
Texas A&M's defense, which struggled against the run and contributed to late-season losses to Texas and a College Football Playoff first-round defeat to Miami, underwent significant reinforcement this offseason. The Aggies added 17 players via the transfer portal, with over half on the defensive side, yet On3's Crain & Cone still place them outside the top 10, listing them as an honorable mention alongside Alabama and Iowa.
Following a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell and defensive tackles Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim, head coach Mike Elko turned to the portal to fill gaps. Key acquisitions include former Northwestern edge Anto Saka, North Carolina defensive lineman CJ Mims, and former Illinois defensive tackle Angelo McCullom. These newcomers join senior defensive tackle DJ Hicks and senior defensive end T.J. Searcy, giving the defensive line ample NFL-caliber talent and depth.
Secondary and Linebacker Outlook
In the secondary, the departure of starting cornerback Will Lee III, drafted in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers, leaves a void, but Dezz Ricks, senior Julio Humphrey, and transfer Rickey Gibson are expected to anchor the corner rotation. Seniors Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks form what is considered the top safety duo in the SEC, with Colorado transfer Tawfiq Byard adding depth after allowing no passing touchdowns last season.
The linebacker corps faced a setback when senior Daymion Sanford suffered a fibula injury during the spring game, though he appeared at SEC Media Days without a walking boot and expects to return 'soon,' possibly after three or four games. In his absence, former Tulsa linebacker Ray Coney, who tallied 128 tackles last season, and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail, who has added size and strength, are poised to fill the void.
Originally reported by yahoo.