Texas A&M's Roster Has One Major Advantage Over Last Year

Texas A&M's defense was anchored by the elite Cashius Howell-led pass rush in 2025.

In 2026, the Aggies may need to keep opposing offenses from scoring by focusing on a different strength. This fall, that strength may be in the cornerback room.

Dezz Ricks returns with his blazing 4.5 40 speed and great length at the position, and he'll be opposite Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson III after losing Will Lee III to the NFL. While injuries slowed Gibson down, the Trussville, Alabama, product enters year four with the cleanest bill of health in years. Together, the duo should mitigate damage in the passing game against the best of the best receivers in the SEC.

Lyle Hemphill Believes Texas A&M Has a 'Good Problem' at Corner

Texas A&M Aggies cornerback Dezz Ricks (2) motions during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

They won't be alone. Rotating in will be Julian Humphrey, who's entering his second year in College Station after spending his first three at Georgia, and 5-star freshman Brandon Arrington. The latter ran a 10.21-second 100-meter dash and stands at six-foot-two and brings a similar physical profile to the field as Ricks.

Texas A&M can survive an injury. With perfect health, the Aggies could always keep their corners refreshed on the field. Better yet, they could handle facing spread or empty sets with the number of playable CBs. It's not as though the defensive coaching staff isn't aware of that, either.

"Julio (Humphrey) has elevated his game. He has gotten more confident. … Dezz (Ricks) is Dezz," Hemphill said on Tuesday during fall camp. "Throw (Rickey Gibson) and some young guys in the mix that are doing well right now, and we've got a good problem at corner."

Hemphill made it clear that forcing turnovers is something the entire defense will be focusing on this fall, but also revealed in his comments that the secondary will be under some pressure to force those turnovers.

"That's something we've worked on all season. I can't even imagine how many more balls we've caught this weekend than last year. … We've worked tirelessly at trying to get better at that. We've worked on ball disruption," Hemphill said. "We are seeing results of our hard work."

Hemphill knows the identity of this program needs to shift, and his forte, the secondary, needs to rise to the occasion. If it does, and Mike Elko's defensive front holds up its end of the bargain, then Texas A&M's CFP repeat hopes are realistic.

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