It already looks like Texas A&M is addressing the loss of Bryce Anderson.
Texas A&M has eyes on Tawfiq Byard, the outstanding safety in the transfer portal coming from Colorado. Byard, the younger brother of Kevin Byard, the All-Pro safety in the NFL, is being heavily recruited by Texas A&M and Tennessee.
This would be a huge win for the Ags, as Byard was Colorado's leading tackler from the 2025 season. That's not a great stat for a team if your safety ends up becoming your leading tackler, but this shows how great of an athlete Byard really is.
Texas A&M and Tennessee hunting for former Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard
#gigem #rockytop https://t.co/jsHOLMp7FW
— UNO (@byard_tawfiq) January 2, 2026
This would be a huge win, as not only would it be a perfect replacement, but having an athlete like Byard could completely change the trajectory of this defense.
In 2025, Byard appeared in all 12 games for Colorado and emerged as the team’s leading tackler, totaling 85 stops, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, and four pass breakups. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Byard fits the billing as the next great Texas A&M defender, and best of all, he just finished his sophomore season.
Anderson's tenure at Texas A&M was great, but a scary head injury against Notre Dame will unfortunately be the last thing that A&M fans will remember him by. Anderson was part of the 2022 class, which was disappointing to say the least, but he stuck around for the long haul.
Tennessee has a long way to go to be a great football team, but with a few tweaks, especially with Marcel Reed, Texas A&M is going to stay right on the doorstep as a playoff team. Byard committing to Texas A&M would be huge, and possibly the best transfer they could get for 2026.