Gig' Em Glory - Texas A&M Aggies

[The Hunted]

2027 Departed Players Recap — Texas A&M Football

NFL Draft Exits • Graduation • Transfer Portal Movement

Texas A&M enters the offseason facing a meaningful wave of roster turnover. Multiple offensive centerpieces depart, the secondary is gutted, and depth across the defense thins out through graduation and the portal. While the Aggies retain their rising star quarterback and several young playmakers, this offseason marks a true transition point for the program.

Below are the players whose departures shape the next era in College Station.

Offensive Departures

Franchise Back Lost — RB Caleb Hawkins (JR)
A 1st‑round NFL Draft pick and the heartbeat of the offense. Hawkins leaves behind over 1,300 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns — production that defined the Aggies’ identity. His departure forces a full reset in the backfield.

NFL Departure — RB Bo Jackson (JR)
A 7th‑round pick who provided power and consistency. Losing both top backs in the same offseason reshapes the entire RB room.

Portal Departure — RB Austin Reeshad (FR)
A talented young runner who transfers to a championship contender, removing future depth and upside.

Quarterback Depth Loss — QB Derek Wall (FR) & QB Buck Wrotto (FR)
Both freshmen transfer after limited opportunities, thinning the long‑term QB pipeline.

🪶 Veteran Receiver Exit — WR Terry Bussey (SR)
A dynamic starter and versatile offensive weapon graduates. His leadership, explosiveness, and reliability leave a major void in the receiving corps.

Tight End Reshuffle — TE Dom Knowles (FR)
Transfers out in search of playing time, opening the door for younger tight ends.

🧱 Trench Loss — C Mark Nabou Jr. (SR)
A 4th‑round NFL Draft pick and the anchor of the offensive line. His departure removes leadership and stability up front.

Young Talent Lost — OL Trae Willingham (FR)
A promising second‑string lineman who transfers to a championship contender.

Offensive Production Lost:
• 984 Passing Yards
• 5 Passing TDs
• 1,313 Rushing Yards
• 18 Rushing TDs
• 73 Receptions
• 726 Receiving Yards
• 2 Receiving TDs

Offensive core remaining: Baker, Myles, Olesh.

Defensive Departures

This is where the true impact hits — a near‑complete overhaul of the defensive roster.

EDGE Room Reset — Jadon Scarlett (SR), Parker Biggers (FR), Robbie Donahue (FR)
Graduation and portal exits wipe out depth behind the starters.

Interior Attrition — DT DJ Hicks (SR)
A veteran defensive tackle graduates, removing experience and physicality from the interior.

Linebacker Losses — Sam M’Pemba (SR), Tim Jernigan (SR), Joshua Gammon (SO)
A trio of linebackers depart through graduation and the portal, thinning the second level.

Cornerback Overhaul — Selman Bridges (SR), Jordan Shaw (SR), Dezz Ricks (SR)
Both starting corners graduate and head to the NFL (3rd & 7th round), along with a key rotational piece.

Corner Depth Drain — Jordon Pride (SO), Alani Short (SO)
Two young corners transfer out, leaving the position group in full rebuild mode.

🧨 Safety Room Hit — FS Lonnie Reavis (JR), FS Artie Cooke (FR)
Reavis transfers to a championship contender, while Cooke departs for a better fit.

Elite Safety Loss — SS Jaiden Patterson (SR)
A 1st‑round NFL Draft pick and the emotional leader of the secondary. His departure is one of the most significant of the offseason.

Defensive Production Lost:
• 392 Tackles
• 6 Sacks
• 50 TFL
• 5 Interceptions
• 41 PBUs
• 1 Defensive TD
• 4 Forced Fumbles

Summary

Texas A&M loses:
• Both starting corners
• Both starting safeties
• Multiple rotational linebackers
• Depth at EDGE and DT
• A starting center
• A starting running back duo
• A starting wide receiver
• Depth at QB, WR, and OL

But the foundation remains strong.

The returning offensive core — Baker, Myles, Olesh — is explosive.
The young defensive nucleus — Turbin, Marco Jones, Chance Sims and others — now steps into the spotlight.

[The Hunted]

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TRANSFER PORTAL RECAP — TOP 10 CLASS

The 2028 transfer portal cycle delivered one of the most talent-rich waves of movement in recent memory. Blue-chip underclassmen, former five-stars, and instant-impact starters reshaped depth charts across the country. Programs like Louisville, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson landed cornerstone pieces, while others watched key contributors walk out the door.

Below is a complete breakdown of the top transfers this cycle — followed by a look at which programs came out ahead and which ones took the biggest hits.

Top 10 Transfers

1. CJ Carr (JR) — QBNotre Dame → LouisvilleLouisville lands a polished, high-IQ passer with big-game experience. Carr instantly elevates their QB room.

2. Jimmy Macklin (FR) — QBMaryland → GeorgiaA dynamic freshman with elite upside. Macklin gives Georgia a future star to build around.

3. Donovan Olugbode (JR) — WRMissouri → IndianaOlugbode brings size, speed, and SEC experience to Indiana’s receiving corps.

4. Shakir Huntley (JR) — WRGeorgia → NC StateA reliable target with strong hands and route-running polish. Huntley is a plug-and-play weapon.

5. Malik Autry (JR) — DTAuburn → OregonAutry adds power and disruption to Oregon’s defensive front. A huge win in the trenches.

6. Jaylen Mbakwe (JR) — WRAlabama → ClemsonA vertical threat with elite acceleration. Mbakwe gives Clemson a game-breaker on the outside.

7. Dermaricus Davis (SO) — QBOregon → OklahomaDavis is a dual-threat playmaker with Big 12-ready tools. Oklahoma gets a high-ceiling starter.

8. George MacIntyre (SO) — QBTennessee → OklahomaMacIntyre brings poise and precision. Oklahoma now boasts one of the deepest QB rooms in the country.

9. Talyn Taylor (SO) — WRGeorgia → LouisvilleTaylor reunites with CJ Carr, forming a dangerous duo. Louisville’s offense gets a major boost.

10. Daylan McCutcheon (SO) — WRTexas → USCMcCutcheon is a smooth route-runner with Pac-12 production potential. USC adds a reliable weapon.

Transfer Portal Winners & Losers

WINNERS

[*]Louisville — CJ Carr + Talyn Taylor = instant chemistry and offensive firepower. Huge portal win.
[*]Oklahoma — Davis and MacIntyre give the Sooners elite QB depth and flexibility.
[*]Georgia — Jimmy Macklin is a future star. Georgia retools with top-tier talent.
[*]Clemson — Mbakwe adds explosiveness to the Tigers’ aerial attack. Oregon — Malik Autry shores up the defensive interior. A foundational piece.

LOSERS

[*]Notre Dame — Losing CJ Carr stings. A veteran QB walks out the door.
[*]Texas — McCutcheon’s departure leaves a gap in the WR room.
[*]Tennessee — MacIntyre was a steady presence. His exit creates uncertainty.
[*]Auburn — Autry was a key disruptor. Oregon’s gain is Auburn’s loss.
[*]Maryland — Macklin’s upside walks away before he could take over.

Overall Takeaways

• The portal continues to function like a second recruiting cycle — but with more proven talent.• Underclassmen movement is surging, with FR/SO/JR players dominating the top tier.• Louisville, Oklahoma, Georgia, Clemson, and Oregon emerge as the biggest winners.• Several programs lost cornerstone pieces and now face major depth chart questions heading into spring camp.

[The Hunted]

Texas A&M Announces Elite 2028 Recruiting

Texas A&M 2028 Recruiting Class Recap
Ranked 5th Nationally | 2nd in the SEC

Texas A&M has secured one of the most complete and physically dominant recruiting classes of the 2028 cycle. Built around elite defensive talent, trench power, and versatile athletes, this class reflects a program still recruiting with championship expectations. With multiple five‑stars and a deep wave of blue‑chip defenders, the Aggies have reloaded for another SEC run.

Five‑Star Cornerstones
FS Alex Pilares — 6'2, 206 — Cypress, TX
5★ | NAT: 7 | POS: 1
The No. 1 safety in the nation and a true back‑end eraser. Pilares brings elite range, physicality, and instincts. He’s the type of defender who becomes the identity of a secondary. A foundational piece for the next era of A&M defense.

ATH DeAndre Bramble — 6'2, 235 — Katy, TX
5★ | NAT: 18 | POS: 2
A generational athlete with rare size and explosiveness. Bramble can play RB, LB, EDGE, or hybrid roles. His versatility gives A&M a defensive chess piece who can impact the game from multiple alignments.

OT Steve Rosario — 6'7, 307 — Crosby, TX
5★ | NAT: 27 | POS: 5
A massive, violent left tackle prospect with elite length and movement. Rosario is a future first‑rounder and the type of cornerstone lineman SEC contenders are built around.

HB Marshall Ratty — 5'10, 201 — Louisville, KY
4★ | NAT: 50 | POS: 6
A dynamic, compact runner with elite burst and balance. Ratty is a future feature back and a perfect complement to A&M’s power‑heavy backfield.

Four‑Star Defensive & Trench Reload
EDGE Martin Presley — 6'5, 246 — Detroit, MI
4★ | NAT: 57 | POS: 5
A long, explosive pass rusher with SEC‑ready traits. Presley is a future starter with double‑digit sack potential.

OC Sidney Slater — 6'4, 297 — Meridian, MS
4★ | NAT: 97 | POS: 2
A powerful, technically sound center who plays with leverage and violence. Slater is a plug‑and‑play interior anchor.

ATH Alex Harris — 6'2, 231 — Opelousas, LA
4★ | NAT: 113 | POS: 7
A versatile athlete who can play WR, S, or LB. Harris brings toughness and positional flexibility.

EDGE Larry Johnston — 6'4, 232 — Key West, FL
4★ | NAT: 124 | POS: 10
A twitchy, bendy edge defender with natural pass‑rush instincts. Johnston adds speed and disruption to the front seven.

WR Mohammed Okeefe — 5'7, 191 — Fort Lauderdale, FL
4★ | NAT: 191 | POS: 29
A compact, explosive receiver with elite acceleration. Okeefe is a mismatch weapon in space.

ATH Duke Tyron — 6'1, 205 — Indianapolis, IN
4★ | NAT: 205 | POS: 26
A versatile offensive athlete who can play WR, RB, or hybrid roles. Tyron brings dynamic playmaking ability.

EDGE Jamerson Cleveland — 6'3, 216 — Corpus Christi, TX
4★ | NAT: 324 | POS: 37
A high‑motor rusher with strong hands and closing speed. Cleveland is a developmental piece with real upside.

ATH George Branson — 6'3, 233 — Savannah, GA
4★ | NAT: 376 | POS: 29
A big, physical athlete who projects as a hybrid LB/S or offensive H‑back. Branson brings versatility and toughness.

DT Tony Rourke — 6'1, 305 — Spring, TX
4★ | NAT: 444 | POS: 25
A stout, powerful interior lineman who plays with leverage and violence. Rourke is a classic SEC defensive tackle.

WR Marquee Bivens — 6'3, 197 — Flowood, MS
4★ | NAT: 454 | POS: 70
A long, smooth receiver with strong hands and red‑zone value.

Three‑Star Depth & Developmental Talent
CB Jayvon Willie — 6'2, 175 — Washington, MD
3★ | NAT: 532 | POS: 39
A long, rangy corner with upside.

ATH Romeo Mercer — 6'4, 220 — Peoria, AZ
3★ | NAT: 569 | POS: 29
A versatile athlete with size and special teams value.

OG Enrique LaPorta — 6'5, 281 — Cedar Hill, TX
3★ | NAT: 753 | POS: 38
A long, athletic guard with strong movement skills.

P Branden Robinson — 6'1, 190 — Argyle, TX
3★ | NAT: 1096 | POS: 21
A strong‑legged punter with directional control.

OLB Tre Ioannidis — 6'0, 224 — Jacksonville, FL
3★ | NAT: 1115 | POS: 99
A physical linebacker with downhill traits.

QB Barry Griffen — 6'2, 170 — Fort Lauderdale, FL
3★ | NAT: 1306 | POS: 77
A developmental passer with mobility.

OC Cam Gibbs — 6'4, 287 — Tyler, TX
3★ | NAT: 1739 | POS: 52
A depth interior lineman with size.

ATH Shareef LeVrone — 5'11, 199 — Duncanville, TX
3★ | NAT: 1787 | POS: 290
A physical athlete with defensive back potential.

Transfer Portal Additions
HB Clay Dora — 6'1, 210 — TR (FR) — from Alabama
4★ | NAT: 12 | POS: 1
A massive portal win. Dora is the No. 1 transfer RB in the nation and brings instant impact ability.

CB Temarion Foster — 5'11, 196 — TR (SO) — from Jacksonville State
3★ | NAT: 686 | POS: 73
A physical corner with experience and depth value.

Final Verdict
This 2028 class is:

• Elite at the top
• Loaded with defensive firepower
• Stacked with trench talent
• Balanced with versatile athletes
• Built to sustain championship expectations

Texas A&M continues to recruit like a program built for long‑term SEC contention.

[redsox907]

got some great performers there on defense, but we all know where you need to improve

get Olesh a legit QB

[The Hunted]

got some great performers there on defense, but we all know where you need to improve

get Olesh a legit QB

Trust me, nobody feels that more than I do. Watching Andrew Olesh get open over and over just for the ball to die, drift, or bounce off someone’s hands has aged me a decade. The defense is out here putting on weekly clinics, and the offense is stuck in neutral because the QB play can’t match the talent around it.

This offseason is basically a mission statement: find someone who can actually maximize the weapons we’ve got. Whether that’s development, the portal, or a freshman who decides to be him on day one, Olesh deserves a quarterback who can turn those 5‑catch, 60‑yard days into 8‑for‑120 and a score.

If we fix that one spot, the whole offense looks different.

[The Hunted]

[The Hunted]

[The Hunted]

[The Hunted]

[djp73]

top five recruiting class is niiiice