Texas A&M is facing turnover at several key positions heading into the 2026 season, some of which have more obvious replacements than others for the upcoming year. As spring practice draws nearer, however, it's time to take a look at the spots where the Aggies currently have a question mark and preview the contenders to trot out with the starting lineup come opening day.
One of the most intriguing of these spots is the cornerback position, where Will Lee has moved on after two good years in the maroon and white, leaving behind a void opposite Dezz Ricks. While Ricks is set to have a potential all-SEC— or possibly all-American, if things go right— season, having only one good cornerback still makes for a pretty porous pass defense.
Texas A&M spring position battle preview: Tennessee and Georgia transfers vying for second cornerback spot
Luckily, it doesn't seem like that's a problem the Aggies will have to worry about. They have two really solid options that they've brought in from the transfer portal over the past two seasons— but which one will it be?
Last year, the Aggies brought in former Georgia corner Julian Humphrey via the portal, but he couldn't unseat either Lee or Ricks, who both played fantastic in 2025. He saw a few snaps, but it was no. 4 and no. 2 out there for the lion's share of the plays on defense for the Aggies.
This season, the Aggies have added another corner in Tennessee's Rickey Gibson to their room. We recently named Gibson as a player to watch in this upcoming spring practice period, as he was slated to be one of the best defensive backs in the conference last season prior to a game-one pectoral injury.
So, will it be Humphrey or Gibson who will win out across from Ricks? Right now, I'd have to predict that Gibson will emerge as the stronger player when all is said and done. For all the speed that Humphrey has, I think there are too many people sleeping on what Gibson can be when he's in action— Humphrey has been burned a few times over the top, and I think the Tennessee transfer will be a safer bet in this arena.
Given that his injury last season was to his pectoral, it won't really affect his play as a CB. This could be a close race, but I see Gibson eventually emerging as the top option opposite Dezz Ricks for the 2026 season.