ESPN ranks Texas A&M's top newcomers ahead of the 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko will enter his third season at the helm, which, based on next season's SEC schedule, could be his toughest campaign yet, and will now include 17 transfer portal additions and 26 freshmen from the 2026 signing class. Combined with returning starters and rotational pieces from the 2025 season, the Aggies are poised to make another run to the College Football Playoff.
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Over the last two months, Elko has made several changes to his coaching staff, led by wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins, who has been elevated to the program's new offensive coordinator; assistant Lyle Hemphill has replaced Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator, while Elko will continue to call defensive plays next season and beyond.
With just 15 days before the Aggies kick off the 2026 spring football season, ESPN writers Craig Haubert and Billy Tucker ranked each preseason top 25 team's best newcomers from the transfer portal and 2026 signing class, as Texas A&M comes in at No. 9. Starting with the incoming freshman class, who have all arrived on campus, expect for tight end Evan Jacobson, several talented youngsters are on track to make an immediate impact this fall.
"The key freshman to watch is Edwards who projects into the running back rotation as Le'Veon Moss moves on. Edwards, a smaller, explosive, change‑of‑pace back can complement Rueben Owens II with versatility and perimeter quickness. Gregory and Williams project into the receiver rotation. Gregory is more of an outside target with vertical juice, while Williams is a slot receiver with the speed and skills to create after the catch. Perry‑Wright can work his way into the defensive end rotation and brings length and twitch off the edge. He's the kind of high‑ceiling freshman rusher who can be worked into third‑down packages while he fills out physically."
Freshman running back KJ Edwards could easily win the No. 2 job behind veteran Rueben Owens, while wide receivers Aaron Gregory and Madden Williams represent the future, but could earn a spot in the rotation and see extended snaps during non-conference play. On defense, Bryce Perry-Wright is expected see time in certain packages, while cornerback Brandon Arrington might be too skilled to keep off the field.
Among the 17 transfer additions, former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton adds size and experience to an already established WR room, while the loss of four starting offensive linemen will test O-line coach Adam Cushing, who will now work with four SEC transfer additions that will compete for starting spots. Still, Tennessee transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson might just be the most impactful addition after missing all but one game last season, completely fresh and ready reach his elite potential.
"Mike Elko hit the portal to add proven SEC/Power 4 production at premium spots. Horton joins the receiver rotation as a 6‑4, 208‑pound boundary target from Alabama. He's a big‑catch playmaker with excellent body control and ball skills who can win jump balls and work the deep middle. Gibson, a quick‑twitch cover corner from Tennessee, is a sticky man defender with instincts and physicality who can be a matchup player on the outside. Up front, Saka has relentless edge energy as an experienced pass rusher who wins more with effort and leverage than elite bend. The Aggies have to replace multiple starters along their offensive line and brought in several transfers to try and do that. Formby and Baugh will bring plug‑and‑play experience on the offensive line. On the back end, Byard steps into the safety rotation after leading Colorado in tackles. He's a versatile safety with range, instincts and eight TFLs in 2025 -- exactly the kind of do‑it‑all presence Elko likes in his scheme."
Texas A&M's spring season will start on Friday, March 20, and conclude on April 18 after the annual Maroon & White Spring Game.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN ranks Texas A&M football's top newcomers ahead of the 2026 season