Have the Aggies Done Enough to Offset Losses in the Transfer Portal?
The newly appointed head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, Mike Elko, has been actively engaged in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Over the six offseasons under the ousted head coach Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies secured only 12 non-JUCO transfers.
But with the exit of Fisher, the Aggies experienced a notable program record, with 26 players entering the transfer portal after the 2023 season.
The upcoming transfer portal window will likely see increased activity under Coach Elko's leadership.
Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
Following Fisher's exit on Nov. 12, the Aggies kicked off a 30-day portal window for their players, and on Dec. 4, all college football teams opened that same window. Plus, grad transfers can jump into the portal whenever they want.
The last portal window of the offseason, lasting for 15 days, starts on May 1.
Elko, who spent four seasons in College Station as Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator, previously said "everything was on the table" when deciphering the dynamics of navigating the recruiting trail and the transfer portal, all while maintaining a delicate balance.
What does the balancing act look like for the Aggies? And who has exited through the portal after the 2023 season, and has the team successfully filled those positions with suitable replacements?
The Johnson brothers, Max (QB) and Jake (TE) are leaving for North Carolina. Where QB Drake Maye is headed for the 2024 NFL Draft. Johnson joined the Aggies program via transfer from LSU after the 2021 season. He got the nod to start in three games last season and was elevated to eight starts this year.
During the course of this season, he showcased his skills by passing for 1,452 yards, delivering nine touchdowns, and managing five interceptions before being sidelined due to an injury. His brother Jake Johnson recorded 24 receptions for 235 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
Two other major losses were wide receiver Evan Stewart, who recently committed to Oregon and defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who is now at Ole Miss.
Other major contributors like Fadil Diggs, Tyreek Chappell and LT Overton also left and found new homes.
Texas A&M Losses
1. WR Raymond Cottrell (Nov. 13, 2023) – Kentucky (Dec. 9, 2023)
2. QB Max Johnson (Nov. 26, 2023) – North Carolina (Nov. 29, 2023)
3. OL Remington Strickland (Nov. 30, 2023) – TCU (Dec. 18, 2023)
4. OL Jordan Spasojevic-Moko (Nov. 30, 2023) – Charlotte (Dec. 11, 2023)
5. S Jardin Gilbert (Dec. 5, 2023) — LSU (Dec. 15, 2023)
6. TE Jake Johnson (Dec. 6, 2023) — North Carolina (Dec. 18, 2023)
7. DE LT Overton (Dec 6, 2023) — Alabama (Dec. 19, 2023)
8. DT Walter Nolen (Dec. 6, 2023) — Ole Miss (Dec. 24, 2023).
9. CB Tyreek Chappell (Dec. 6, 2023) — ?
10. DE Fadil Diggs (Dec. 8, 2023) — Syracuse (Dec. 19, 2023)
11. CB Deuce Harmon (Dec. 12, 2023) — SMU (Dec. 29, 2023)
12. TE Fernando Garza III (Dec. 13, 2023) — Sam Houston State (Jan. 8, 2024)
13. WR Evan Stewart (Dec. 19, 2023) — Oregon (Jan. 11, 2024)
14. OL Naquil Betrand (Dec. 20, 2023) — Alabama (Dec. 30, 2023)
15. DT Isaiah Raikes (Dec. 21, 2023) — USC (Jan. 9, 2023)
16. WR Jordan Anthony (Dec. 27, 2023) — Arkansas (Jan. 2, 2024)
17. CB Tony Grimes (Jan. 2, 2024) — UNLV (Jan. 14, 2024)
18. LB Jurriente Davis (Jan. 2, 2024) — Louisville (Jan. 6, 2024)
Despite the list of losses, the Aggies, having already secured a substantial amount of impactful talent, have now replenished their ranks.
Former Vanderbilt defensive back De’Rickey Wright is a consistent tackler in space who started 10 games this past season, totaling 46 to go along with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. In 2022, Wright totaled career-highs in tackles (55), interceptions (three) and pass breakups (six).
The most recent addition is the Alabama Crimson Tide standout cornerback Dezz Ricks. Ricks is the 23rd commitment for the Aggies as the No. 17th ranked player in the portal and the No. 3 overall corner.
But the highest-rated incoming transfer is former Purdue edge rusher, Nic Scourton, who committed at the beginning of January. The Bryan native stands at 6-foot-4, 280-pound, and led the Big Ten in sacks with 10 while adding 15 tackles for loss, including two sacks against Michigan.
He also added 50 tackles, a forced fumble, and three passes defensed. The star has two years of eligibility remaining adding to the list of serious defensive talent.
Texas A&M Additions
1. Kansas State CB Will Lee III (Dec. 10, 2023).
2. Youngstown State LB Alex Howard (Dec. 16, 2023).
3. Louisiana Tech WR Cyrus Allen (Dec. 17, 2023).
4. Central Michigan S Trey Jones (Dec. 18, 2023).
5. Purdue TE Garrett Miller (Dec. 19, 2023).
6. Vanderbilt S De'Rickey Wright (Dec. 22, 2023).
7. Georgia K Jared Zirkel (Dec. 31, 2023).
8. Purdue EDGE Nic Scourton (Jan. 4, 2024).
9. San Diego State safety Marcus Ratcliffe (Jan. 4, 2024).
10. Cal Poly CB Donovan Saunders (Jan. 5, 2024).
11. Troy WR Jabre Barber (Jan. 5, 2024).
12. Troy OL Derrick Graham (Jan. 6, 2024).
13. Florida DB Jaydon Hill (Jan. 6, 2024).
14. Florida LB Scooby Williams (Jan. 6, 2024).
15. Wisconsin DL Rodas Johnson (Jan. 6, 2024).
16. UAB CB BJ Mayes (Jan. 6, 2024).
17. Kansas OL Ar'maj Reed-Adams (Jan. 7, 2024).
18. Stanford RB EJ Smith (Jan. 7, 2024).
19. Bowling Green EDGE Cashius Howell (Jan. 8, 2024).
20. Florida Atlantic OL Dorian Hinton (Jan. 8, 2024).
21. Fresno State TE Tre Watson (Jan. 13, 2024)
22. Alabama CB Dezz Ricks (Jan. 16, 2024)
But is it enough? We will find out one way or another next fall when the Aggies open things up against Notre Dame at Kyle Field.
