Texas A&M defensive back plans to enter transfer portal
After three seasons in College Station, defensive back Erick Young plans to enter the transfer portal, he announced on Twitter Wednesday night.
“I have truly enjoyed my time here in College Station. I want to thank the Texas A&M coaching staff and my teammates for helping me become a better man and a better football player. I want to thank the 12thMan for making every game day experience amazing,” he wrote.
Young came into the Texas A&M program as a four-star recruit, according to On3’s consensus rankings. He was the No. 69 rated player overall, No. 7 ranked safety and No. 11 in the state of Texas.
He earned Under Armor All-American status as a senior and was named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Tops in Texas First Team as well.
Young played in seven games during his true freshman season, making his collegiate debut at Ole Miss. His lone career interception came against UTSA that year, which he returned for four yards.
As a sophomore, Young started in six games during Texas A&M’s 9-1 season but was injured against Alabama. His junior year he saw his role overtaken and only managed one tackle in the 2021 season which was against Mississippi State.
Throughout his three seasons in College Station, Young saw action in 19 total games where he amassed 17 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, one pass deflection and one interception.
While his role on the field was diminished throughout his Aggie career, Texas A&M had success in every season he suited up for them. Earning a combined 25-10 record over his three seasons and even finished as high as No. 5 in the final College Football Playoff rankings for the 2020-21 season.
Last season the Aggies finished with an 8-4 overall record and a 4-4 record in the SEC, which stuck them in the bottom half of the conference standings at the end of the season. Despite this, Alabama (7-1) and Ole Miss (6-2) were the only SEC West teams to earn a better conference record than Texas A&M.
“This was a hard decision but after numerous prayers, and conversations with my family, I feel it is best for my future to enter into the transfer portal,” Young wrote.
Young, a junior, will have two years of eligibility left in his collegiate career.