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Eyebrows raised and interest piqued when Texas A&M football coaches saw Wilkin Formby’s name in the transfer portal.
The Aggies needed talented offensive linemen with Southeastern Conference starting experience. The 6-foot-7 and 295-pound Formby certainly met the criteria.
He started 14 games at Alabama last year. And whaddya know… A&M offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins, who previously coached at Alabama, knew Formby well.
“He actually went to high school with my daughter,” Wiggins said. “So, we heard word that he was in the portal, coach Cush (Adam Cushing) asked me, ‘What do you think about the kid?’
“I was like, ‘I think he’s our kind of guy. He has some leadership qualities. He’s big. He’s athletic. He’s strong. He can anchor. He has really good body quickness.’”
“I just spent a lot of time with family before and after (last) season praying that God would just show me, ordain and dictate my steps. I really can’t explain it to a lot of people, but I just know that I’m doing what’s right by God. So that’s what ultimately made my decision here.”
- Texas A&M offensive lineman Wilkin Formby
A lot of other major college football programs desired the big man’s blocking services. Getting Formby figured to be difficult.
But A&M got help from a highly-placed source. Like… the absolute highest of highly-placed sources.
Formby, on Thursday after practice, explained his decision to transfer to A&M.
“I just spent a lot of time with family before and after (last) season praying that God would just show me, ordain and dictate my steps,” Formby said. “I really can’t explain it to a lot of people, but I just know that I’m doing what’s right by God. So that’s what ultimately made my decision here.”
Formby has always relied on faith. He always loved football, too.
But he admits there were times his love for football might have overshadowed his faith.
“There’s been some experiences throughout my life where God changed my life,” he said. “But God kind of got my attention with things throughout my football career, where maybe idolizing football more than I should be. Idolizing my career, whatever it is.
"And so God kind of got my attention and showed me. The Bible says not to have your faith on shifting sand, but put on a firm rock.”
Danny Grant, TexAgs
Wilkin Formby is listed at 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds on Texas A&M’s spring roster.
A&M is putting its faith on Formby to be a rock in a rebuilt offensive line.
Four starters from A&M’s 2025 offensive line have departed to pursue professional careers.
It’s no secret that A&M’s best seasons have coincided with having some of its best offensive lines. Therefore, assembling another strong line is of utmost importance.
Formby is working hard to do his part.
“(I’m) Just trying to be consistent each and every day,” he said. “That’s something I’m really trying to battle this year. It’s consistency and then, like, winning the last couple of seconds of my reps. Just sustaining my blocks. That’s what me and my coach are really focused on.”
Formby is one of four offensive linemen with SEC experience that A&M brought in from the transfer portal, joining Trovon Baugh from South Carolina and Tyree Adams and Coen Echols from LSU.
Getting four guys who’ve never played together to form a cohesive unit isn’t easy, but Formby said the Aggies have made good progress this spring.
“It’s difficult with so many guys that haven’t played together, but I think that’s just a testament to our coaches here just being able to put different lineups together every day and be able to gel together,” he said. “But this dates back to January when we all first got here, and we started working out together, training together. That chemistry started then.
“So we each day that we get to practice with each other. We’re trying not to take it for granted and just go out and be five as one.”
“It’s difficult with so many guys that haven’t played together, but I think that’s just a testament to our coaches here just being able to put different lineups together every day and be able to gel together.”
- Texas A&M offensive lineman Wilkin Formby
Perhaps one of the reasons Formby was led to A&M was where he’d be positioned along the line. He’d played tackle his whole career. Until last year. He played most of the season at guard.
He figures to start at right tackle for A&M. Coach Mike Elko even said earlier this spring that Formby reminded him of former A&M All-SEC tackle Trey Zuhn III.
“I’d never played guard, so I was learning in front of millions of people on TV or whatever in front of really good opponents and playing against a lot of high draft picks,” Formby said. “I feel like if you’re athletic enough, if you’re big enough, if you have a good frame, you can move.
“And I played tackle my whole career. So that’s kind of what I like to do. I have nothing against right guard. I just want to help my team win a national championship.”
Of course, that’s what Aggies fans want, too. They’re hoping Formby can help A&M win a championship.
If he does… well, you might say he was a godsend.
