Texas A&M Depth Chart Exposes One Big Week 1 Concern

Discover how Texas A&M's first depth chart of the season reveals Coach Elko's strategic roster moves and potential game-changers ahead of their clash with Missouri State.

Texas A&M’s first two-deep of the Mike Elko era offers an early snapshot of where the Aggies stand heading into Saturday’s opener against Missouri State, and the list comes with a few clear hints about how camp has gone.

The biggest one: the offensive line still looks very much up for grabs.

Elko said Monday that the revamped front could keep changing even if the depth chart is already out, and the current lineup has LSU transfer Tyree Adams at left tackle, junior Blake Ivy at left guard, senior Mark Nabou at center, South Carolina transfer Trovon Baugh at right guard and Alabama transfer Wilkin Formby at right tackle. Blake Ivy is the head-turner in that group, and LSU transfer Coen Echols is not listed as a backup center, which had been floated before.

If this unit gets rolling, Texas A&M can build around it. If it doesn’t, the Aggies’ depth should help them survive the bumps.

On defense, the amount of “OR” tags tells its own story. At nickel, Jordan Shaw is listed as the starter after a strong fall camp, with Bravion Rogers behind him.

Bryce Anderson, who moved from safety to nickel, is not on the roster list in the depth chart, though he’s still expected to be part of the rotation. At cornerback, Dezz Ricks OR Rickey Gibson shows how close that competition still is, while senior Julio Humphrey is the clear starter on the other side.

That lines up with the buzz around camp and with what has been seen from the Tennessee transfer.

The front seven also has a few moving pieces. Illinois transfer DL Angelo McCullom was expected to be the No. 2 nose tackle, but he’s still battling North Carolina transfer CJ Mims for the job.

Anto Saka is listed behind T.J. Searcy at tight end, even though the Northwestern transfer is expected to be one of the most important defenders on the roster.

Saka and returning senior defensive end T.J. Searcy, along with sophomore Edge Marco Jones, are expected to give Texas A&M a pass rush that can match or top last season’s production.

The other uneasy spot is tight end. Texas A&M gave fifth-year Micah Riley, Houston Thomas and Richie Anderson the “OR” treatment, while redshirt freshman Kiotti Armstrong sits fourth on the chart.

Armstrong did flash with one of the more impressive catches in a late preseason practice, but Riley, Thomas and Anderson have mostly looked serviceable. That said, new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins is not asking this group to carry the passing game, especially with the wide receiver room in better shape.

Riley brings dependable blocking, while Thomas is the best receiving option and could pass him if he becomes steadier as both a pass-catcher and blocker.

Elsewhere, the Aggies have leaned on a roster overhaul that included 17 transfer additions and the 2026 signing class after a record 10 players were taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. Texas A&M retained 65% of its 2025 roster, and the early depth chart shows how much of this season will hinge on how those new pieces settle in.

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