When it comes to making waves at the NFL Combine, Texas A&M is leading the pack this season. But where did these standout players originate?
The Aggies faced a challenging 2024 season, particularly on offense, while the defense saw some strategic improvements with the addition of Lyle Hemphill. On the offensive front, Marcel Reed benefited from some serious talent, including four offensive linemen likely to be drafted, alongside newcomers like KC Concepcion and Nate Boerkircher, who joined the Aggies in 2025.
Interestingly, many of these future NFL stars weren't originally Aggies. As Billy Liucci, TexAgs Executive Editor, notes, the transfer portal is where Texas A&M truly excels.
Mike Elko's mastery of the transfer portal has earned him top marks, with potentially seven portal additions heading to the draft in April. In the current landscape of college football, evaluating transfer talent is just as crucial as developing homegrown players.
Take Nate Boerkircher, for example. Even if he's among the last to be drafted or goes undrafted, his impact on the Aggies was undeniable.
Known for his heroics in the Notre Dame game, Boerkircher made headlines with an outstanding catch at the Senior Bowl practice. His emergence as a tight end favorite marked yet another portal success for Elko.
Players like Craver, Concepcion, and Boerkircher might be quick to jump to the NFL, but their time at Texas A&M has been pivotal. Concepcion, always a skilled athlete, benefited immensely from his reps with Reed.
Other key transfers, such as Cashius Howell, Ar'Maj Reed-Adams, Scooby Williams, Will Lee III, and Tyler Onyedim, were integral to Elko's vision for the team. As Elko continues to leverage the portal, this is a promising glimpse of what's to come in college football. The rest of the nation should take note.