Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and his revamped squad will be up and running as soon as the transfer portal opens on Friday. If you’ve been following our coverage, the Aggies have been heavily linked to several star players on both sides of the ball, including former Texas A&M commit and LSU guard Coen Echols.
Over the past week, based on the nine players who have declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, Texas A&M’s positional needs have become more evident, including at kicker, with Randy Bond and Jared Zirkel ineligible, while new freshman kicker Ashton Murray could easily win the job, but he’s still a young player with no college experience.
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However, the real focus begins in the trenches, requiring the replacement of three starting offensive linemen and several starting defensive linemen, including the unanimous All-American. Cashius Howelland defensive linemen Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim. After hiring new co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson, landing veterans on the D-line shouldn’t be an issue.
Focusing on positions needed before the gate officially opens, here are the position rankings for Texas A&M that Aggie fans should keep in mind heading into the weekend.
Offensive line
Going into the 2025 season, left tackle Trey Zuhn, right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams and right tackle Dametreous Crownover were all guaranteed to leave due to their expiration of eligibility, while Reed declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Wednesday afternoon. Right now, the focus is on adding at least two versatile tackles, knowing that the Aggies’ guard depth, including Ashton Funk and Blake Ivy, is less of an issue.
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Additionally, Mike Elko believes A&M’s middling running game, which failed to find life in back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami in the CFP, needs to be the main focus this offseason.
Defensive line
Sophomore edgeman Marco Jones will likely replace unanimous senior All-American edgeman Cashius Howell. Still, after Rylan Kennedy and Solomon Williams entered the transfer portal this week, edge depth will be the focus. Still, Elko will also have to replace starting defensive linemen after witnessing Tyler Onyedim’s performance this season. At the same time, the departure of Albert Régis leaves a hole in the middle of the defense.
Junior defensive lineman DJ Hicks is set to return next season. Yet Texas A&M’s porous run defense, both a D-line and linebacker problem, will only be solved with better coaching and personnel.
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Tight end
The tight end is now the center of attention after Theo Melin Öhrström surprisingly entered the transfer portal. With Nate Boerkircher and Amari Niblack in the NFL, incoming sophomore Kiotti Armstrong looks like the next man up and is certainly talented enough to earn the starting job.
Collin Klein’s departure to become head coach at Kansas State won’t drastically change Texas A&M’s offense, as new OC Holmon Wiggins has served as co-offensive coordinator the past two seasons and will likely utilize a 12-man look (two tight ends), especially in the running game.
While Armstrong is more of a tight end, adding one or two versatile veterans who are both capable run blockers and threats down the seam is key to avoiding a significant decline.
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Defensive back
Senior cornerback Will Lee III is headed to the NFL Draft, while senior safety Bryce Anderson, who missed most of the 2025 season with a head injury, entered the transfer portal this week. Anderson’s choice to leave wasn’t shocking, but now safety is another position that needs an addition or two.
Cornerback is still the center of attention, as veteran Nickel Tyreek Chappell will also be leaving after five seasons, and Washington transfer Jordan Shaw appears to be next to take over. Yet after it was revealed that Elko was pursuing defensive back Edwin Joseph to transfer to Florida State, it’s clear he’s targeting physical playmakers similar to Miami’s hard-hitting secondary.
On paper, Texas A&M will return Dezz Ricks and Julian Humphrey as likely starting outside corners. Freshman cornerbacks Deyjhon Pettaway and Adonyss Currie are two names to watch as key depth pieces. However, adding one or more cornerbacks from the portal will strengthen this group.
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Wide receiver
Star receiver KC Concepcion is headed to the NFL Draft, which was always expected, leaving new junior Mario Craver as the 2026 WR room leader, while Ashton Bethel-Roman, who finished his first starting season with 503 yards and five touchdowns, looks like a star in the making.
Yet with the news that Auburn star receiver Cam Coleman, who was once a Texas A&M commit, would be competing with the Texas Longhorns for his services, it will cost both programs a pretty penny. Elko and Holmon Wiggins would also compete with the Texas Longhorns for his services.
Wanting to play with an established quarterback, Texas quarterback Arch Manning may have the upper hand, but aside from his late struggles, Marcel Reed threw for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. Outside of Coleman, Texas A&M has been connected to Kansas State transfer WR Jayce Brown, who would also be a solid backup due to his elite speed on the field.
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This article was originally published on Aggies Wire: Ranking Texas A&M football transfer portal needs by position group
