'Slept-on' Shaw aims for an awakening in 2026

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You can sleep on a bed. You can sleep on a cot. You can sleep on a couch. You can even sleep on the ground.

But by no means should you sleep on Texas A&M nickelback Jordan Shaw. He’s setting a goal to make 2026 a season of awakening.

“My main goal is to put my name out there,” Shaw said on Tuesday after the Aggies completed the 16th practice of August camp. “I feel like I’m a slept-on player. Nobody really knows me. So, I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunities and just put my name out there.”

Indeed, Shaw is probably the least known member of the A&M secondary, which coach Mike Elko has said is the best he’s had in six years as an A&M coach.

Safeties Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe and cornerback Dezz Ricks are returning starters. The other cornerbacks — Rickey Gibson III or Julio Humphrey — were highly regarded transfers from rival Southeastern Conference programs.

Alas, it seems every famous quintet had an obscure fifth member.

The Beatles had Pete Best. The Jackson Five had Jackie. Michigan’s “Fab Five” had Ray Jackson. The Rat Pack had Joey Bishop. The Simpsons have Maggie.

The Aggies have Shaw. He’s the forgotten man in the A&M secondary.

That is, unless you remember the shutdown job he did on Miami All-American receiver Malachi Toney last season in the College Football Playoff.

Toney finished last season with 109 catches for 1,211 yards. But with Shaw providing the majority of the coverage, Toney managed just five catches for a mere 22 yards.

“It gave me confidence because it showed me I’m able to do it,” Shaw said of his effort vs. Miami. “But at the end of the day, I wanted to win. So, I wanted to win. So, I wasn’t even worried about my individuals. It was just hurtful to lose.”

Though Shaw, a transfer from Washington, did not start any games last season, he showed he can help the Aggies win.

He posted 18 tackles with 2.5 going for lost yardage. He also broke up a pass and forced a fumble. Then, of course, he had that strong showing against Miami.

“Like my pops always told me, ‘Be ready when your opportunity comes,’” Shaw said. “I feel like that was my opportunity to show that I could do it. I just made the most of it.”

Brian Jones

Jordan Shaw held Miami’s Malachi Toney to just five catches for 22 yards in the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff.

A&M defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill said Shaw was prepared to face Toney and is prepared to face the future because of the A&M receivers he's faced in practice.

“I think the thing that’s helped him the most the last two years, to be honest, is going against KC (Concepcion) every day and, then this year, Mario (Craver) every day,” Hemphill said. “You have to strain every single play with two guys, or you’re going to be embarrassed.

“It’s really put him in the spotlight. Every time they do one-on-one. Every time they do a release drill. Every time they do a team drill. Every time you do seven-on-seven, you’re on, or you’re gonna get embarrassed.

“He’s embraced that. He loved it. Mario loves it too. Mario loves to see him across from him. It makes him a better player to compete, and they compete their tails off.”

Shaw is eager to compete this season. He’s gotten bigger, he’s confident, and he’s become more of a vocal leader.

He’s also motivated to make his name well known.

“I’m trying to get picks. I’m trying to make plays,” Shaw said. “I just want the fans to think of me as a playmaker or somebody that can get the ball back.”

Oh yeah, he’s also gleaned motivation from another source to prove he’s not someone to be slept on.

Six months ago, he became a father to his son, Elias.

“(Fatherhood) is honestly the biggest blessing,” Shaw said. “It’s been hard for me to leave in the morning. He’d be sleeping on me, having to move him and stuff. But honestly, it’s just my motivation to keep going every day.”

Yeah, it’s OK for Elias to sleep on him. But nobody else should.