aggieswire
Under the previous coaching regime led by Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M's wide receiver unit never found steady footing, regardless of who was under center. Even with the arrival of highly touted prospects like five-star Evan Stewart and four-star Noah Thomas in the celebrated 2022 recruiting cycle, injuries, stalled development, and questionable utilization derailed their progress in College Station.
Stewart, who moved on to Oregon following the 2023 campaign, is now a redshirt senior with the Ducks. Meanwhile, Thomas transferred to Georgia after three seasons with the Aggies, during which he appeared in 35 games, amassing 73 receptions for 934 yards and 15 touchdowns. His final year at A&M, where he served as the starting X receiver, proved to be his most productive.
Thomas's decision to join the Bulldogs raised eyebrows at the time, and his output in Athens was modest: 16 catches for 264 yards and four scores across 10 games. Even with the Aggies adding transfer wideouts Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, Thomas would have likely remained a key figure at the X position, especially after Jerome Myles suffered an injury prior to the 2025 season.
Texas A&M encountered size-related challenges late in a season that began with 11 straight wins. However, the program addressed that void by bringing in Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton, a 6'4", 215-pound target. As for Thomas, he went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and is now striving to carve out a role with the Cincinnati Bengals during training camp.
On Thursday, Thomas delivered what local media dubbed the "catch of the day," showcasing his physicality and focus by securing a contested grab against veteran cornerback D.J. Ivey. The play was captured on video by Bengals beat reporters.
Key Analysis
Thomas's performance in Cincinnati suggests he possesses the skill set to compete for an NFL roster spot. His combination of size, concentration, and hands could make him a valuable asset in the Bengals' receiver corps, especially if he continues to make plays like Thursday's highlight-reel catch.
Originally reported by aggieswire.