Elko's portal track record suggests offseason optimism for progress

You’re on the fastest route to a desired destination. You’re moving quickly. You’re passing others. You’re making great time.

Then you see red. Travelers dread red.

Red on GPS means heavy congestion, significant slowdowns and perhaps lengthy delays wait ahead.

Slowdowns and lengthy delays make college football fans see red, too. Just differently.

The desired destination, of course, is a national championship. You want your team to get there quickly. You want your team to avoid any detours, gridlock or roadblocks that might impede progress to that destination.

But those roadblocks exist. There are tough losses and injuries that can make a great season screech to a halt.

Then, key players are lost through completion of eligibility, early entry to the NFL and the transfer portal.

Those roadblocks can derail a program that’s building toward a championship. You don’t want to take two steps forward and then three steps back.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Texas A&M’s 2025 campaign ended with a 10-3 loss to Miami in the first round of the CFP.

That’s what Texas A&M hopes to avoid in 2026. The Aggies could lose as many as a dozen starters from this season’s 11-2 team.

However, coach Mike Elko’s early success in the transfer portal at least provides a measure of optimism that the Aggies won’t have to accept taking a step back in 2026.

Though Elko isn’t finished working the portal, he has addressed significant needs in the offensive line, run defense and kicking game.

That doesn’t guarantee those needs will be met. However, about half of Elko’s portal additions over the last two years have either been stars or significant contributors to A&M’s success.

The track record suggests Elko will again find adequate replacements to ease A&M’s personnel losses.

Here’s a breakdown of A&M’s moves to address key issues:

Offensive Line: Let’s be realistic. The left side of the line won’t be as good without All-SEC tackle Trey Zuhn III, who completed his eligibility, and guard Chase Bisontis, who opted for early entry to the NFL Draft.

The key is to minimize the impact of their departures.

Brian Jones

Chase Bisontis announced his departure on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Perhaps sophomores Robert Bourdon or former five-star prospect Lamont Rogers are ready to step in at tackle and play at a high level.

Maybe sophomores Ashton Funk, Blake Ivy or Tyler Thomas are ready at guard.

If not, LSU transfer Tyree Adams is a good bet at left tackle. His former teammate Coen Echols would be a candidate at guard.

Detractors would point out LSU’s offensive line underachieved in 2025. So, why expect them to make a difference at A&M?

That’s a valid question. However, both have high upside. They may reach their full potential under the tutelage of A&M offensive line coach Adam Cushing.

The right side could be upgraded. South Carolina transfer Trovon Baugh looks like he could step in at right tackle for Armaj’Reed. Bourdon could be a strong candidate to replace Dametrious Crownover at right tackle.

Tight Ends: Though Nate Boerkircher had a couple of big catches (vs. Notre Dame, vs. South Carolina), he only had 19 receptions. Theo Melin-Öhrström had 19, too.

MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Nate Boerkircher’s game-winning TD catch at Notre Dame will long live on in Aggie lore.

Both are gone, but A&M has responded by bringing in a couple of productive receiving tight ends.

Fresno State transfer Richie Anderson III had 31 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns last season. UTSA transfer Houston Thomas had 34 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns.

Also, 6-foot-5, 275-pound redshirt freshman Kiotti Armstrong is a massive physical presence with massive potential.

Run Defense: Do the words “missed fits” ring a bell?

Although the Aggies were ranked a respectable No. 40 in the nation in run defense, they allowed an SEC-high running plays of at least 20 yards (21), 30 yards (12) and 40 yards (8). That’s alarming.

The loss to Taurean York, who opted for the NFL Draft, obviously hurts. But Daymion Sanford figures to be improved in what will be his second season as a starter.

Brian Jones

Taurean York finished his Texas A&M career with 228 total tackles.

The arrival of Tulsa transfer Ray Coney is expected to be a significant boost, too. A first-team All-American Conference selection, Coney posted 129 tackles last season. His ability to read plays and fill holes is a giant plus.

Also, sophomore Noah Mikhail showed potential in the few opportunities he had to play last season.

There are major losses in the interior defensive line, but DJ Hicks is coming back for his senior season. Sophomores Landon Rink and DJ Sanders should be ready to make an impact.

The addition of Colorado transfer Brandon Davis-Swain, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound junior, is interesting. He went to Colorado as a four-star prospect but was slowed by injures.

A&M projects to improve on its penchant to give up long runs if only because it can’t get much worse, right?

Pass Rush: Cashius Howell and his 11.5 sacks have departed from the pass rush that produced 43 sacks, the third-highest total in the country.

Brian Jones

The SEC’s leader in sacks, Cashius Howell became the 11th unanimous All-American in program history.

From where is the pass rush coming next season? Sophomore Marco Jones certainly has promise. He had 2.5 sacks in a backup role last season.

Transfer portal additions Anto Saka from Northwestern and Ryan Henderson from San Diego State will help.

There’s still Elko’s knack of coming up with exotic blitzes at the right time. Safety Dalton Brooks had four sacks last season. Linebacker Sanford had 3.5.

Honestly, the Aggies' pass rush doesn’t project to be as fierce in 2026, but it could still be productive.

Kicking Game: A&M kickers had the worst field goal percentage (61.5) in the SEC and were 123rd in the nation. Quite frankly, they were not reliable from any distance.

Illinois transfer David Olano converted 20 of 23 last season. One of his attempts was blocked in the season-opener. His longest field goal was from 47 yards, but he hit from 50 in 2024. He’s converted 86 percent in his three seasons at Illinois.

He should be a significant upgrade for A&M.

Nothing is assured. Not all transfers or recruits work out. But if Elko’s track record continues, the Aggies could adequately shore up these areas of concern.

Maybe next season they could even avoid the delays and detours that would impede them from getting to where they want to go.