Texas A&M has a lot figured out for the upcoming year, but there are still questions hanging in the air for Mike Elko with only about a month to go until fall camp. Many skill positions have clear-cut starters already penciled in for the Ags, but that may not be where the story of the season ends up being told.
Here are five position groups where the Aggies need to figure things out ahead of fall camp.
5 pivotal position battles for Texas A&M and Mike Elko for 2026 season
Cornerback
This is an extremely intriguing position for the Aggies in the upcoming season, for more reasons than just one. Dezz Ricks is returning as a more than capable starter, and a player that is flying way under the national radar as a potential all-American selection and eventual first-rounder if things play out well for him— he's got the athletic ability and skill to match up with any corner in the nation.
While Ricks's position seems secure, it's the spot opposite him where there is a three-man race. Georgia transfer Julio Humphrey is entering his second year in the program after seeing far less time on the field in 2025 than he did for the Bulldogs in the previous year— a guy with starting SEC experience seems like the obvious choice.
The problem is that he's not the only one that fits that bill for the Aggies. Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson is going into his final year of eligibility, and he's chosen to spend it in College Station. Gibson is supremely gifted and was not a player the Vols wanted to lose, but Humphrey could have a leg up simply because of having more time in Aggieland and the fact that Humphrey missed time in the spring.
The wild card here is true freshman Brandon Arrington. With Ricks and Gibson both out in the spring, he played across from Humphrey, and what he showed in the spring game had everyone talking, both inside Aggieland and without. He seems destined to be a star in Aggieland, but most assumed that he may take a year to develop— but it's possible he's ahead of schedule.
Tight End
With the departure of second-round pick Nate Boerkircher, as well as the exit of guys like Theo Mehlin Ohrstrom to the portal, the Aggies have a conundrum ahead of them at this position as well. There's one player who more than likely will be a big factor in team captain Micah Riley, but there is little that has been figured out aside from that.
Riley has not exactly been prolific as a pass-catcher, either— he's been used mostly as a blocker for the Aggies, which is where he has excelled— so they'll need someone to replicate that role in the upcoming year. Will it be one of the transfers, Richie Anderson from Fresno State or Houston Thomas from UTSA?
Or could it be that we see the emergence of Kiotti Armstrong, the redshirt freshman from Jasper? He didn't acquit himself extremely well in the spring game, but as we say for good performances or bad ones: that's only a one-game sample size.
You also have true freshmen KK Johnson and Evan Jacobsen taht could end up making an impact, but the odds are that they will end up redshirting. Finding a reliable player for that second TE spot is absolutely vital for this upcoming season— we'll see what the Aggies can do.
Offensive Tackle
Both tackles are off to the NFL after this past season, so Texas A&M hit the portal hard. Losing that kind of production to the league is far from what you want to see, but Mike Elko was able to replenish the ranks in an encouraging way.
The incumbent here is Robert Bourdon, who was clearly the first man off the bench for the Aggies at the position last year. He'll be up against experienced starters in Wilkin Formby and Tyree Adams, who transferred in from Alabama and LSU, respectively— Formby in particular has had a lot of buzz since he arrived in the spring.
Then, you have some younger talent that could challenge for that spot in Blake Ivy, Tyler Thomas, and Lamont Rogers. Rogers in particular is a player that many Aggie fans hope to see as a starter at some point, as the former five-star has supreme physical gifts.
Your two starters are more than likely going to come from that first three-man group, though: Adams, Formby, and Bourdon. Adam Cushing is willing to rotate his guys, so don't be surprised to see all three get a lot of time at first before a clear pecking order is established.
Offensive Guard
Mark Nabou, as the only returner from last year's team, is a guarantee to be one of the three interior players— he's shown the versatility to be a guard or a center— but the other two spots are a question mark. Will it be one of the two transfers in South Carolina's Trovon Baugh or LSU's Coen Echols? Or will it be a homegrown player?
Baugh and Echols, despite the high level of experience that the former brings, both struggled significantly last season at different points. The experience starting in the SEC should be counted as a huge plus, but that won't guarantee either of these players a spot.
We could see Ashton Funk, entering his third year for the Aggies, make some noise here. Funk could play either inside or outside on the line, but his future seems to be on the interior for the Aggies. There's a bevy of redshirt freshmen who could have something to say as well, namely Marcus Garcia and Nelson McGuire.
If I had to guess, I'd lean towards Funk and one of the transfers, likely Baugh given his multiple years of experience— seniority really matters when it comes to offensive line play. Echols will have a shot as well.
Defensive Tackle
This is another spot where the Aggies lost two experienced players in Tyler Onyedim and Albert Regis, but they have plenty of options thanks to their previous recruiting and work in the portal. DJ Hicks is the clear top option to come back, as he's gotten some first-round buzz this offseason— well-deserved for the former five-star who has paid his dues in this program.
Then, you have two three-man groupings for the Aggies: the redshirt freshman class that Mike Elko signed last year, and the three transfers that they picked up. That former group likely has a better chance to make an impact, but don't sleep on the second.
The transfers are CJ Mims from UNC, Brandon Davis-Swain from Colorado, and Angelo McCullom from Illinois. Mims was a big get from the portal and is entering his final season of eligibility, so he seems like the clear leader in the clubhouse to start alongside Hicks.
But you can't discount the chances of these three second-year players in Landon Rink, DJ Sanders, and Chace Sims. Rink saw the most time of the three last season— Sanders is massively talented but raw, and Sims was injured— but all three will make a big impact at some point... the only question si whether it will be this year.
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