Positions Texas A&M should target in the transfer portal
The transfer portal opens up for FBS players Dec. 5 and Texas A&M is expected to be quite active in the crazy and fast-paced 45-day period where thousands of players will officially be able to speak to other teams and schools.
Right now, players that have already graduated can be in the transfer portal. The portal also opened at the FCS level, so there are already players that can open speak with Texas A&M.
Given the expected chaos, Texas A&M’s season and the ever-moving coaching carousel, here are five positions the Aggies could look to address through the transfer portal.
Linebacker
Texas A&M is still attempting to get Denton (Tex.) Ryan five-star linebacker Anthony Hill back in the 2022 class, but regardless of what happens with Hill, the Aggies will likely look to the portal to add depth, and potentially a difference-maker at linebacker. Edgerrin Cooper could depart for the NFL, Chris Russell technically has one more year of eligibility, but the question remains whether or not he chooses to use it. True freshman Ish Harris entered the portal and while Tarian Lee Jr., Andre White and Martrell Harris should return, the Aggies need playmakers and depth at the position. Beyond inside linebacker, the staff is looking for a true edge rusher. The aforementioned Martrell Harris along with Enai White and Malick Sylla have shown glimpses of what they could look like full-time in that role, but if a game-changing edge rusher enters the portal, look for Texas A&M to pursue.
Wide receiver
Texas A&M will need to make sure pass-catchers Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad stick around, getting Chris Marshall back and keeping Yulkeith Brown would be helpful as well, but behind those four, the room needs more contributors. The Aggies don’t have a single wide receiver committed in the 2023 class. With the wide receiver transfer market expected to be booming, there’s going to be no shortage of options for Jimbo Fisher and his staff to add talent to the room. Look for the staff to try and add a big-body wideout to the room and some speed behind Stewart and Muhammad.
Offensive line
Texas A&M desperately needs depth in the offensive line room and while there’s four, potentially five high school offensive line recruits joining the program in the 2023 recruiting class, the Aggies desperately need depth at the position. Trey Zuhn played through injury in the back half of the season because of lack of depth behind him, Bryce Foster, Jordan Spasojevic-Moko and Aki Ogunbiyi all health with injuries this season, with Foster and Spasojevic-Moko missing the backhalf of the season. On top of that, true freshman PJ Williams is indefinitely suspended and dealing with a legal issue that has his future in the program in doubt. The Aggies will likely look to get at least one offensive tackle in the portal and could look to add some depth along the interior of the line as well.
Honorable mention
Running back
Devon Achane is considering leaving for the NFL and though there are capable replacements behind him in Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss, if a Jahymr Gibbs-type player enters the portal, the Aggies could get involved.
Defensive back
Texas A&M’s defensive back room is in good shape for the most part even with Antonio Johnson, Demani Richardson and potentially Jaylon Jones heading off the to NFL. True freshmen safeties Jacoby Mathews and Bryce Anderson are expected to fill in for Johnson and Richardson, and there’s some capable underclassmen capable of filling Jones’ role. However, like with running back, if a high level defensive back enters the portal, look for the Aggies to try and get involved. Someone like Arkansas safety Myles Slusher or Stanford safety Jonathan McGill, both of whom have already declared their intentions to enter the transfer portal would make a lot of sense for Texas A&M.