The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a milestone moment for Texas A&M-and for head coach Mike Elko, it’s the kind of payoff he envisioned well before the 2025 season even kicked off. With the draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, the Aggies could see more than ten players hear their names called-potentially setting a new personal benchmark for Elko in the process.
This surge in draft buzz comes on the heels of a historic season in College Station. Texas A&M finished 11-2 and punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
That kind of success doesn’t go unnoticed by NFL scouts, and the Aggies’ roster is now being combed through with a fine-tooth comb. Over a dozen players have declared for the draft, including five offensive linemen, standout edge rusher Cashius Howell, and dynamic wide receiver KC Concepcion.
Let’s start with the big men up front-five offensive linemen declaring is impressive in itself, but the headliner of that group is guard Chase Bisontis. He’s the only one of the bunch with a realistic shot at hearing his name on Day 1, and his stock continues to rise thanks to a strong season anchoring the interior of that Aggie line.
But the real first-round firepower lies with Howell and Concepcion-two players who not only made waves in the SEC but now look poised to make a splash at the next level.
Concepcion, in particular, has scouts buzzing. He’s projected to go 21st overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in multiple mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why.
He put together a stat line that jumps off the page: 61 catches, 919 yards, nine receiving touchdowns, plus 75 rushing yards and a rushing score. Add in his special teams impact-two punt return touchdowns and an 18.2-yard average-and you’re looking at a Swiss Army knife kind of player who can flip field position in a heartbeat.
The fit with Pittsburgh? It makes a lot of sense.
With Mike McCarthy now at the helm, the Steelers are clearly looking to give their offense a shot in the arm, regardless of who ends up under center. Concepcion’s ability to shake free underneath and create after the catch would bring a much-needed layer of efficiency to an offense that had to scratch and claw for every yard last season.
Then there’s Cashius Howell-the Aggies’ defensive wrecking ball and a unanimous All-American in 2025. He tallied 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 41 pressures during his breakout campaign.
Those numbers don’t just pop-they demand attention. Howell transferred in from Bowling Green and wasted no time putting his stamp on the SEC.
Now, he’s projected to be a late first-round pick, with the New England Patriots pegged as a potential landing spot at No. 31 overall.
That’s a fascinating match. New England, fresh off a Super Bowl loss to Seattle, is in need of a jolt off the edge.
Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr has been mixing up looks to compensate for a lack of consistent pass rush, and Howell could be the answer. At 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, he’s not the prototypical edge rusher size-wise, but his ability to win with speed, leverage, and a deep pass-rushing toolbox makes him a scheme-versatile threat.
Plug him into the Patriots’ system under Mike Vrabel, and there’s a real chance he could make an immediate impact.
For Texas A&M, this draft class is more than just a feather in the cap-it’s a statement. It’s proof that Elko’s vision is working, that the program is developing NFL-ready talent across the board, and that the Aggies are now a legitimate pipeline to the pros.
Come April, don’t be surprised if the stage in Pittsburgh is crowded with maroon and white. This could be a record-setting night for Texas A&M-and a launchpad for a new wave of Aggies in the NFL.