Texas A&M’s roster shuffle isn’t quite done yet - even with the transfer portal window officially closed. While most of the dust has settled, there are still a few final moves trickling in, and on Saturday, one of them involved sophomore kicker Liam Pardon making his next stop official.
Pardon announced he’s headed to Gainesville, transferring to the University of Florida with three years of eligibility still on the table. It’s a fresh start for the young specialist, who saw limited action in 2025.
He appeared in just two games for the Aggies, handling five kickoffs and not attempting a single field goal. He served as a backup in College Station, waiting in the wings behind a position group that struggled to find consistency all year.
And that inconsistency wasn’t a minor issue. Texas A&M’s kicking game was a sore spot throughout the 2025 season, especially in tight games down the stretch when every point mattered.
The coaching staff didn’t waste any time addressing it. They went out and landed two big additions this offseason: Asher Murray, the top-ranked kicker in the country coming out of high school, and David Olano, a seasoned veteran brought in via the portal.
Those two moves made it clear - the Aggies are hitting the reset button at kicker.
That reset left Pardon with a tough decision. He could stay and battle it out in a now-crowded competition, or he could look elsewhere for a clearer path to playing time.
He chose the latter, and it’s hard to blame him. With Murray and Olano set to headline the kicking battle in College Station, Pardon opted for a situation in Florida where he’ll have a real shot to carve out a role.
For Texas A&M, this move helps clarify the picture at a position that desperately needed stability. The focus now shifts fully to Murray and Olano as the Aggies look to turn the page and shore up a unit that cost them dearly last fall.
For Florida, they’re getting a young kicker with upside and time to grow - and for Pardon, it’s a chance to compete, develop, and maybe even take over the job in the Swamp.
The NCAA transfer portal officially closed on January 16, but as we’re seeing, the ripple effects are still being felt.