Texas A&M’s defense sent a loud message in the season opener, and Ray Coney was right in the middle of it.
The Aggies rolled past Missouri State 50-0, their biggest shutout since 1997, and the numbers on that side of the ball were hard to miss. Texas A&M held the Bears to 67 total yards and just 30 through the air, smothering quarterback Skyler Locklear on just about every snap. Missouri State coach Casey Woods, who was SMU’s offensive coordinator last season, tried to find answers, but the Aggies’ secondary and rebuilt defensive line never let the Bears settle in.
That performance set the tone for a defense that looked every bit like the strength of the team, even as Marcel Reed drew attention for his efficient day at quarterback. Reed finished 21 of 30 for 233 yards and two touchdowns, but the clearest edge belonged to the defense.
Coney, the Tulsa transfer, was one of the names to watch entering 2026 after three-year starter Taurean York moved on to the NFL. He answered that uncertainty in the opener, teaming with sophomore Noah Mikhail to lead Texas A&M with 13 tackles apiece. Coney also handled the green dot role well, directing the defense like the unit’s quarterback.
Senior linebacker Daymion Sanford did not play Saturday, though he is expected back for his season debut against Arizona State. That gives the Aggies another layer heading into a tougher test this weekend, with the Sun Devils coming in after putting up 70 points against Morgan State last Saturday night.
On Tuesday, Coney spoke with local media for the first time this season and explained why the fit at Texas A&M came together so naturally.
"It's been pretty easy. At some places, you'll be a new guy and it's hard to get your voice out there, but I feel like with them, they really embrace me and being a veteran guy. Anything I say, is coming from a good place," Coney said.
He also pointed to the program’s track record as a major reason he landed in College Station.
"Just seeing the success of the program and how they developed players. You get 13 people going to the (NFL) Combine, that's not a coincidence.
That's real development coming from within," Coney said. "It just felt right."
Now the task gets sharper. If Texas A&M wants to move to 2-0 at Kyle Field, Coney and the Aggies’ defense will need to keep Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley in check and shut down the explosive plays that can flip a game fast.
In Other News...
Texas A&M Has A Huge Week 2 Recruiting Opportunity
Texas A&Ms Week 2 matchup with Arizona State is shaping up to matter well beyond the scoreboard. The home game will bring a packed recruiting guest list to College Station, with the Aggies set to host several top football prospects from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes, including a mix of highly ranked commits and other marquee targets.
Mike Elko and GM Derek Miller will use the weekend to keep building those relationships with a group that includes multiple five-star and four-star recruits. The trip also gives Texas A&M a chance to continue pushing for 2027 four-star athlete Za'Kari Johnson, as the Aggies are viewed as a favorite to flip him from Florida State. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Could Steal A Receiver Florida State Thought It Had
The early recruiting buzz around Texas A&Ms 2027 class has started to circle a name Florida State has spent time trying to keep in the fold. Wide receiver ZaKari Johnson, who reclassified from 2028 into 2027, made a visit to College Station for the Aggies season opener and reportedly came away impressed by both the atmosphere and the program, enough to put Texas A&M in position as the current leader in a possible flip race.
Johnson remains committed to Florida State for now, but the momentum around this recruitment is worth watching because the Aggies are clearly in the conversation and have already made a strong in-person impression. For Texas A&M, this is the kind of battle that can shape the early look of a class, and for Florida State, it is another reminder that holding onto a commitment after a big visit elsewhere is rarely simple. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Secondary Faces A Real Test Against Arizona State
Texas A&Ms defensive backfield is still sorting itself out as the Aggies get ready for Arizona State, with safety Tawfiq Byard expected to be out after missing warmups while recovering from an injury. His absence puts added pressure on a secondary that will need to stay steady against a real test, and the Aggies are likely to lean heavily on Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks to handle most of the work at safety.
There is at least some encouraging news on the defensive side, though, with linebacker Daymion Sanford trending toward a return after being sidelined by a spring game injury. Sanford did not play last week, so his availability would give Texas A&M another layer of help as it tries to manage the matchup and compensate for the missing pieces in the back end. [Read more 🡒]