Texas A&M's offensive line is set for a transformation this fall, following the departure of five players, including four starters, to the 2026 NFL Draft. Senior center Mark Nabou stands as the lone returning starter, anchoring a line that will be infused with fresh talent from the transfer portal. Head Coach Mike Elko, anticipating these changes, swiftly moved to secure four SEC transfers who are ready to compete for starting roles.
Elko and offensive line coach Adam Cushing are emphasizing versatility, eyeing players like Ashton Funk and Blake Ivy, who have shown promising development and could vie for the guard positions. Meanwhile, Alabama transfer Wilkin Formby, who held down the right tackle spot for the Crimson Tide last year, brings the ability to play at either tackle position.
In a recent press conference, Coach Elko, now in his third year, laid out his strategy for the offensive line. With the team making its first College Football Playoff appearance last season, maintaining momentum is key. Elko highlighted the necessity of adding "plug and play" talent to prevent any drop-off in performance.
"We were in a couple of unique spots, and we talked about this hopefully being the last year we're in this position with the portal," Elko noted. "We looked at our roster and had Mark Nabou coming back, and outside of that, the oldest offensive lineman we had coming back was a sophomore... We felt it was important to add some experience to that position group."
Experience is crucial to keeping an offensive line intact, especially as the season progresses. All four transfer additions bring versatility, but Elko specifically praised Wilkin Formby for his reliability. Before finalizing the starting left and right tackle positions, Elko emphasized Formby's ability to excel at either tackle spot and even contribute at guard, thanks to his strong run-blocking skills.
"I think he's a right tackle. I think he's an elite right tackle. If you watch him block the elite edges in this league, he does it really, really well," Elko stated.
"We lost some really talented offensive linemen, and we also lost some leadership in that offensive line room... We felt Wilkin would be a guy capable of doing both, and we were really comfortable with the total package we were getting."
Assuming Formby takes the right tackle position, LSU transfer Tyree Adams is expected to start at left tackle, a role he consistently filled during his tenure with the Tigers. With these strategic moves, Texas A&M aims to uphold its competitive edge and build on last season's success.