Texas A&M’s biggest defensive edge heading into 2026 might not come from the pass rush this time around. After leaning on Cashius Howell and the front in 2025, the Aggies could end up winning games with what they have on the back end.
The cornerback room looks like the cleanest advantage on the roster. Dezz Ricks is back with his 4.5 speed and length, and he’ll line up opposite Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson III after the departure of Will Lee III to the NFL.
Gibson dealt with injuries earlier in his career, but the Trussville, Alabama, native is now entering year four with the best health he’s had in a while. That pairing gives Texas A&M a chance to hold up against top SEC receivers without getting exposed outside.
And the Aggies won’t stop there. Julian Humphrey is back for his second season in College Station after spending his first three years at Georgia, while five-star freshman Brandon Arrington adds another serious piece to the rotation. Arrington brings a 10.21-second 100-meter dash and a six-foot-two frame that mirrors the kind of physical profile Ricks already brings.
That depth matters. Texas A&M should be able to absorb an injury and still keep fresh corners on the field. It also gives the defense flexibility against spread and empty looks, something the coaching staff clearly sees as a strength.
"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 also said turnovers are a major point of emphasis for the whole defense this fall, and his comments showed the secondary is expected to do more than just cover.
"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."
If that improvement carries over and Mike Elko’s defensive front does its part, Texas A&M has a path to keeping its CFP repeat hopes alive. Hemphill made it plain: the secondary has to help drive the identity change.
In Other News...
Jamarion Morrow Could Give Texas A&M A Dangerous New Wrinkle
Jamarion Morrow spent his freshman season showing why Texas A&M was so intrigued by him in the first place. The sophomore running back gave the Aggies a glimpse of his versatility with 262 total yards and two touchdowns, and his value went beyond the traditional work of a tailback. He ran, he caught the ball and he added return ability, the kind of layered skill set that can make an offense harder to game-plan against when a player starts getting more touches.
Now the expectation is that Morrows role grows even more in 2026, which gives Mike Elkos offense another possible wrinkle to build around. A former four-star recruit who backed up the hype with a strong high school rsum, Morrow looks like one of the players who could help define what the Aggies want to be on that side of the ball. The open question is how much of that potential turns into a featured role once the offense starts leaning on him in more ways. [Read more 🡒]
Tiger Riden Is Giving Texas A&M's Backfield A New Edge
Texas A&Ms running back room has started to look deeper and a little more defined in preseason work, with Rueben Owens taking on a more vocal sense of accountability after last seasons mistakes and battling rising sophomore Jamarion Morrow for the top spot. Former five-star freshman KJ Edwards has also drawn attention, but the early buzz has centered on a group that appears more competitive and more physically ready to carry a bigger load.
A large part of that shift seems tied to redshirt freshman Tiger Riden Jr., whose powerful style has caught the eye of new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins as the Aggies try to add more edge to the ground game behind a mostly rebuilt offensive line. Ridens emergence gives the staff another option to stress defenses in a different way, and it could make the running back rotation a lot more interesting once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Anto Saka Gives Texas A&M A New Reason For D-Line Optimism
Anto Saka arrived at Texas A&M from Northwestern with the kind of reputation that usually travels best in the offseason, when weight-room numbers and raw traits matter almost as much as game tape. Now he has another endorsement to match it, landing at No. 31 on Bruce Feldmans annual college football freaks list after what has been described as a notable jump in power and explosiveness under Aggies strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt.
For Texas A&M, the timing matters. Saka is expected to be a key part of the defensive line as the Aggies work to replace their previous sack leader, and the buzz around his physical development only adds to the anticipation. If his growth in the weight room carries over on Saturdays, he could become one of the more important additions to a front that needs impact plays. [Read more 🡒]