Grading Texas A&M's Transfer Portal Additions: Defense
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and his staff landed 16 commitments through the transfer portal after it opened at the start of the month, with nine of those additions coming on the defensive side of the ball as they looked to fill several major holes left by departing NFL Draft talent.
With the portal haul now nearing its end and winter workouts already underway, we’re taking a closer look at the Aggies’ newest additions position by position, grading both the overall work and the fit of the incoming talent.
Here are our defensive portal haul grades:
DEFENSIVE LINE
After losing first-round projected defensive end Cashius Howell to the NFL Draft, along with starters Tyler Onyedim and Albert Regis this offseason, Texas A&M went to work and put together what I believe to be its strongest position group haul along the defensive line.
Since our report that Texas A&M was hiring Elijah Robinson back to the coaching staff under head coach Mike Elko, the Aggies have quickly assembled an impressive group of talent up front. The staff was able to land nearly every priority target it identified in the transfer portal at the position.
The haul is headlined by Northwestern defensive lineman Anto Saka, who has already generated considerable first-round buzz for next season’s NFL Draft — and for good reason. This past season, Saka ranked among the nation’s best with an 84.1 pass-rush grade. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, he brings an ultra-physical presence off the edge and a more refined pass-rush toolbox than Howell, along with added versatility and the ability to defend the run at a high level.
The other edge addition for Texas A&M was San Diego State EDGE Ryan Henderson, who totaled seven sacks this season. Henderson is another impressive physical specimen who drew rave reviews at his previous stop. With much of the pass-rush talent already on campus still being relatively young, the Aggies were able to add two proven, experienced players at the position — both of whom project as future NFL Draft selections in maroon and white.
On the interior, the work may have been even more impressive, highlighted by the late addition of North Carolina defensive tackle CJ Mims. Mims entered the transfer portal later in the process, quickly made his way to College Station, and announced his commitment while still on campus.
Mims was immediately identified as a major target by the staff, and the production backs it up. He totaled more than 40 tackles as an interior defensive lineman, along with two sacks and a forced fumble. While statistics can often be misleading when evaluating interior defenders, that tackle number certainly stands out.
Texas A&M also won a significant head-to-head battle with Ohio State for Colorado freshman defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain, who may be the most intriguing addition in the Aggies’ entire transfer portal class. Davis-Swain played nearly 400 snaps during his freshman season in Boulder and drew attention from nearly every major program. He’s a player capable of contributing immediately, while also projecting as a foundational piece on the interior moving forward.
Rounding out the defensive line haul is Angelo McCollum, Texas A&M’s second transfer addition from Illinois. McCollum recorded 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season with the Fighting Illini. While his commitment may not have generated significant public buzz, it’s a move the staff is particularly excited about, adding another 6-foot-3, 300-pound body to a defensive line unit that badly needed size in the middle to help defend the run. McCollum posted a 66.5 grade, per PFF.
Grade: A+
LINEBACKER
After losing starting linebackers Taurean York and Scooby Williams to the NFL Draft and signing an impressive class from the high school ranks, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and newly hired linebackers coach Travis Williams had the flexibility to add just one or two players to the room through the transfer portal. They quickly landed their hand-picked target in Tulsa linebacker Ray Coney.
This past season, Coney totaled 128 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, emerging as one of the nation’s most productive linebackers during his time at Tulsa. According to Pro Football Focus, Coney ranked as the No. 20 linebacker in the country out of nearly 800 eligible players. He graded inside the top 100 nationally in both run defense and pass rush, while finishing just outside the top 100 in pass coverage.
Coney’s addition continues a trend that has quickly taken shape under new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill: prioritizing extremely physical, experienced players at key positions with a track record of high-level production.
When replacing a leader like York, adding a three-year starter with Coney’s skill set is a major step in maintaining an intelligent and experienced presence in the middle of the defense. He brings a much-needed sure tackler to the unit, along with the versatility to handle just about any responsibility asked of him within the scheme.
Grade: A
CORNERBACK
Cornerback was no exception when it came to Texas A&M’s offseason departures. However, with starter Dezz Ricks returning and an experienced unit still on campus, the priority at the position wasn’t quantity — it was quality. If landing arguably the top cornerback in the transfer portal checks that box, then there are certainly some happy campers inside the Bright Complex.
Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson was a difficult recruitment to track given the level of interest he was drawing and the number of visits being scheduled, making it hard to gauge where things ultimately stood. In the end, Texas A&M’s defensive staff arguably did its best work of the offseason by landing the standout cover man, and the Aggies should be well rewarded next season.
Entering the year, Gibson was viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the conference and even nationally. Unfortunately, an upper-body injury ended his season after just a few plays in the Volunteers’ season opener. We’re told the injury is not a concern moving forward, and he is expected to be a full go for the Aggies.
While it wasn’t an addition via the portal, Bryce Anderson also announced his return to Texas A&M after briefly entering the transfer portal. We’re told Anderson is expected to move back to the nickel position, where he began his career and emerged as a standout defender before making the switch to safety. Those close to the program believe the move could pay major dividends for the Aggies’ secondary next season.
Grade: A-
SAFETY
While Texas A&M didn’t lose any production at the position from last season, there was little question that adding a piece to the room would be beneficial. A year ago, the Aggies didn’t have a true coverage specialist between Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks.
Texas A&M moved quickly to land Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard, a name that surfaced early on our radar even before the transfer portal officially opened. His camp showed strong interest in the potential fit in College Station, and after a visit, a commitment came together quickly, allowing the staff to address the position and shift resources elsewhere.
Over three collegiate seasons, Byard has logged more than 500 snaps in coverage without allowing a touchdown. He has consistently graded as one of the nation’s top safeties according to Pro Football Focus and brings a 78.9 pass coverage grade to Texas A&M’s secondary for next season.
Byard also fits the mold of what Lyle Hemphill appears to be prioritizing defensively, adding a highly physical presence with proven high-level production. Those close to the program in Boulder described him as “by far” Colorado’s top defender this season and noted that the staff worked aggressively to retain him.
Another high-level coverage defender who can make plays coming downhill, Byard projects as a tackling machine for the Aggies next season.
Grade: A
KICKER
After learning the hard way last season not to settle at the kicker position, Texas A&M made it a point to upgrade the spot following a rough showing in 2025. Illinois kicker David Olano quickly emerged as a name to watch, even before he officially entered the transfer portal, and was one we flagged early in the process to our subscribers.. *wink wink*
Once Olano entered the portal, Texas A&M generated early momentum in his recruitment, though Miami and Ohio State were extremely aggressive in their pursuit of the two-time All-Big Ten kicker. The Aggies were able to get Olano on campus for a visit, but both programs pushed hard in an effort to get him out of College Station without a commitment.
Olano never made it to his scheduled visits in Columbus or Miami, opting instead to shut down his recruitment.
Texas A&M now adds one of the nation’s premier kicking talents for his final season of eligibility, bringing a career 37-for-46 mark, with two of those misses coming on blocked kicks and another two being good on game-winning attempts, including one in a recent bowl victory. While his career long stands at 50 yards, we’re told he is reliable from at least 55.
Elite specialists are often under-appreciated, but there’s a growing emphasis on the position within Texas A&M’s recruiting approach. At least for this season, the Aggies appear to be in very good hands.
Grade: A+++