Texas A&M’s fall camp is almost here, and with it comes the next round of answers for a roster that believes it has enough to make a run after coming up short a year ago.
The spotlight will naturally land on the obvious names, but camp is also the place where lesser-known players can turn into real factors. For the Aggies, three of those possibilities stand out: edge rusher Anto Saka, receiver TK Norman and kicker David Olano.
Saka arrives as a transfer from Northwestern and is expected to help fill a major void on the edge after Cashius Howell and Dayon Hayes moved on. He brings the kind of athletic profile that can change a defense quickly. His speed jumps off the page, and he has the burst to get after the quarterback while also creating turnovers, something that has been a major focus entering Year 3 under Mike Elko.
At 6-foot-4, Saka gives Texas A&M length, power and a relentless motor. He keeps chasing plays, works through contact and can force pressure by attacking aggressively off the line. The Aggies need someone to step into that role, and Saka has the tools to do it.
Norman is a different kind of breakout candidate, but maybe just as intriguing. While attention is going to the receivers already established in the room, he has the chance to carve out a bigger role if he keeps climbing the depth chart. His acceleration stands out, his footwork is sharp and he has the awareness to find the ball quickly.
He also spent the offseason building on his game, trying to make the small improvements that can push a player from depth piece to real contributor. Last season, he got a taste of action against Samford and LSU, finishing with one carry for 12 yards and three catches for 39 yards. The release is a weapon, and his route running could become a sneaky part of what Texas A&M leans on more often.
Then there’s Olano, who could solve one of the most important questions on the roster. The kicking job was a clear offseason concern after Randy Bond and Jared Zirkel were no longer with the team, and the Aggies needed someone to step in and settle things down.
Olano, an Illinois transfer, is positioned to do exactly that. He was a 2025 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and has been reliable over his career, going 82-of-83 on PATs and scoring 193 points.
He also made a career-high five field goals against Purdue and drilled a long of 50 yards. With practice reps ahead, the focus will be on how he handles pressure and whether he can bring consistency to a spot Texas A&M badly needed to address.
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