Texas A&M Football

Texas A&M adds former Illinois kicker David Olano via transfer portal

Former Illinois kicker David Olano has announced his intentions to transfer to Texas A&M. In two seasons with the Fighting Illini, Olano has connected on 37 of his 43 field goal attempts (86 percent) and has scored 193 points.
By Ryan Brauninger
January 5, 2026
24k Views
34 Comments
Story Poster

After struggling to consistently put the ball through the uprights in 2025, Texas A&M has gone into the transfer portal and nabbed a commitment from kicker David Olano as a potential remedy.

He's the sixth addition via the transfer portal this cycle for Mike Elko and Patrick Dougherty.

A native of Naperville, Ill., the 6-foot, 180-pounder has been really efficient in his collegiate career. In 2024, he was 17-for-20 (85 percent) on his field goals and was a perfect 12-for-12 inside of 40 yards. This past season, Olano finished 20-for-23 (87 percent) and knocked home a trio of field goals in the Fighting Illini's bowl win over Tennessee. He has a career-long of 50 yards, made 82 of his 83 extra points and scored a total of 193 points in his two years in Champaign.

The Aggie staff worked hard to slam the door shut on this recruitment due to Olano's resume, as well as the current roster need, combined with how the position fared over the course of last fall.

Stay tuned. We'll have more to come for our TexAgs Premium subscribers.

34 Comments
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Mike Elko Patrick Dougherty Pass it Back Commit Story Transfer Portal David Olano Football Football Recruiting Texas A&M Illinois 2024 2025
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Discussion from...

Texas A&M adds former Illinois kicker David Olano via transfer portal

12,326 Views | 34 Replies | Last: 1 day ago by Loftin
Luigi Vampa
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7:52a, 1/5/26
AG
We have a kicker!
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andrews372
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8:00a, 1/5/26
Outstanding grab! One of the most important pieces is finally home, congrats on a job well done!
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lagoag
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8:02a, 1/5/26
This might be one of the most important portal additions we get this year. Whooop, the Ags really needed to add a consistent kicker.
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TAMUallen
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8:02a, 1/5/26
AG
Does he bring a ST coach with him?!
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npc
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8:03a, 1/5/26
This is one of those offseason moves that most folks ignore, bc DEs, WRs, and RBs exist. In actuality, this guy probably swings a game next year, by himself.

Just saw 247 has him ranked as the number one kicker in the portal [thumbs up].
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The Marksman
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8:04a, 1/5/26
AG
This was our top need
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ironmanag
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8:07a, 1/5/26
AG
Huge
Aggie Class of '97 and '16, Proud father of Aggie classes of '25 and '29
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Detmersdislocatedshoulder
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8:16a, 1/5/26
the previous comments are funny and truly reflect our dire need at kicker. i saw we got a kicker and this excited me more than any other transfer so far in this class.

that in of itself is very telling.
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swrdply400mrelay
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8:17a, 1/5/26
Bobaloo
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8:21a, 1/5/26
Excellent!
‘This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others; it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.’

George W. Bush
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Divining Rod
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8:29a, 1/5/26
well done.


wondering hiw many he has attempted from 50 plus as his long is 50. Can he go further?
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rondis23
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8:32a, 1/5/26
AG
MASSIVE!!!
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rgag12
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8:37a, 1/5/26
AG
Can't wait for him to get the yips as soon as he puts on maroon
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ctownaggie
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8:42a, 1/5/26
jograki
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8:43a, 1/5/26
AG
Great news!
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randy828
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In reply to Divining Rod • 8:47a, 1/5/26
AG
Divining Rod said:
well done.


wondering hiw many he has attempted from 50 plus as his long is 50. Can he go further?

Per ESPN.com, he is 1-2 from 50+ in his collegiate career.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/5077223/david-olano
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The Collective
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8:52a, 1/5/26
AG
Buckeyes were perusing as well. Nice W.
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FDT 1999
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9:12a, 1/5/26
AG
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ironmanag
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In reply to Divining Rod • 9:19a, 1/5/26
AG
Divining Rod said:
well done.


wondering hiw many he has attempted from 50 plus as his long is 50. Can he go further?


After this year if he can make if from 35 most of the time I will be thrilled. (JK legit question)

Aggie Class of '97 and '16, Proud father of Aggie classes of '25 and '29
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Sefton
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9:28a, 1/5/26
The kid from the '26 class has some decent numbers as well (school record 56 yarder).
Between the two of them, I'd hope one of them can fill the need and be consistent.
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SourLakeAg
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9:41a, 1/5/26
"What's it matter if we don't have an accurate QB to throw it to him" -AG1188 probably
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TP Ag '87
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9:46a, 1/5/26
AG
How many years of eligibility remain?
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Iraq2xVeteran
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9:54a, 1/5/26
AG
Welcome to Aggieland, David Olano!
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Matsui
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10:08a, 1/5/26
CCAD AG
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In reply to TP Ag '87 • 10:25a, 1/5/26
TP Ag '87 said:
How many years of eligibility remain?

Article said he had two years with IL so I would guess two remaining.
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Blonde Coffee Beans
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In reply to The Marksman • 10:33a, 1/5/26
The Marksman said:
This was our top need

It was and its good to see a name fill in that spot. Looks like an upgrade
"I don't care about your feelings OP. I'm not going to let fandom replace reason, thought, and history"
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TAMU74
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10:39a, 1/5/26
AG
Welcome aboard Mr. Olano.
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13B
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10:42a, 1/5/26
Super glad for a proven kicker but I hope he got plenty of coaching before because I haven't seen where we got another ST coach and the one we have is abysmal!
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redjalapeno-87
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10:54a, 1/5/26
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LB12Diamond
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12:28p, 1/5/26
AG
Great news!
Gig ‘Em Baby!
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rangerdanger
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In reply to npc • 12:30p, 1/5/26
AG
npc said:
This is one of those offseason moves that most folks ignore, bc DEs, WRs, and RBs exist. In actuality, this guy probably swings a game next year, by himself.

Just saw 247 has him ranked as the number one kicker in the portal [thumbs up].


30 replies later…
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npc
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In reply to rangerdanger • 1:31p, 1/5/26
rangerdanger said:
npc said:
This is one of those offseason moves that most folks ignore, bc DEs, WRs, and RBs exist. In actuality, this guy probably swings a game next year, by himself.

Just saw 247 has him ranked as the number one kicker in the portal [thumbs up].


30 replies later…
The average off season TexAgs poster is about two standard deviations more tuned in and football conscious than any randomly selected person in Kyle, on a Saturday in September.
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Ag1188
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2:11p, 1/5/26
AG
Big time. Elite kicker and much needed.
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Loftin
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7:57p, 1/5/26
AG
I've never paid much attention to recruiting of kickers, but I'm excited about this one. We had a dire need at the position.
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