Gig' Em Glory - Texas A&M Aggies

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 16 Apr 2026, 04:33

2029 Season Recap: Texas A&M Aggies — A Defensive Dynasty

The 2029 Texas A&M Aggies didn’t just reload — they redefined what defensive dominance looks like in college football. Despite losing six cornerstone players to the NFL Draft, the Aggies stormed to an 11–3 (6–2 SEC) season behind a generational pass rush, breakout stars, and a young offense that found its rhythm.

National Awards & Honors
Texas A&M was the most decorated defensive program in the nation:

• Chace Sims (SR) — Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award
• Marco Jones (SR) — Defensive End of the Year (third time)
• Marco Jones, Jared Smith, Chace Sims, Alex Pilares — First‑Team All‑Americans
• DJ Sanders — Second‑Team All‑American
• Kyree Teague, DeAndre Bramble, Alex Pilares — All‑SEC First Team
• Marshall Rattay, Chet Pfeiffer — All‑SEC Second Team
• Sidney Slater — SEC Freshman Team

A Defensive Front for the Ages
The 2029 Aggie defense was historic — violent, relentless, and record‑breaking.

Chace Sims (SR)
• 67 Tackles | 51 TFL | 31 Sacks | FR
• Set the single‑season and single‑game sack records

Marco Jones (SR)
• 56 Tackles | 17 TFL | 31 Sacks | 3 FF
• Finished with 58 career sacks — an A&M legend

Jared Smith (SR)
• 48 Tackles | 12 TFL | 13 Sacks | 2 Safeties

DJ Sanders (SR)
• 28 Tackles | 17 TFL | 10 Sacks | FF | 2 FR | TD

DeAndre Bramble (SO)
• 102 Tackles | 35 TFL | 5.5 Sacks | INT | 7 PBU

Chet Pfeiffer (JR)
• 95 Tackles | 17 TFL | 3 Sacks | INT | 6 PBU

Alex Pilares (SO)
• 58 Tackles | 12 TFL | INT | 10 PBU
• First‑Team All‑American FS

A&M finished with 106 sacks — an SEC record — and allowed just 8.8 rushing yards per game.

Special Teams Impact
• Andres Rich (SR) — 24/30 FG | 42/42 XP
• Brandon Robinson (SO) — 68 Punts | 40.2 Avg
• Isaiah Williams (SR) — 2 Punt Return TDs

Season Summary
Texas A&M finished 11–3 (6–2 SEC), powered by the nation’s most feared defensive line and a young offense that steadily improved.

Team Stats:
• 24.1 Points Per Game
• 222.4 Pass Yards | 143.4 Rush Yards
• 218.9 Pass Yards Allowed | 8.8 Rush Yards Allowed
• 106 Sacks | 12 INT

Legacy of the 2029 Aggies
The 2029 season cemented Texas A&M as a defensive powerhouse.
Marco Jones, Chace Sims, Jared Smith, and DJ Sanders leave as legends.
DeAndre Bramble, Chet Pfeiffer, and Alex Pilares step forward as the new core.
Marshall Rattay and Connor Bush headline the future of the offense.

And now, all eyes turn to one decision:

Will Tank Royer declare for the NFL Draft?

Whatever he chooses, the Aggies enter 2030 with momentum, identity, and a culture built to last.

Post by **djp73** » 16 Apr 2026, 06:16

Well that’s a tough way to end the season but I would still call it a success

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 16 Apr 2026, 07:05

djp73 wrote: ↑
16 Apr 2026, 06:16
Well that’s a tough way to end the season but I would still call it a success

Yeah was a brutal end, but overall I'm happy after how we went last season, just need to have another season with Royer tossing the pigskin with less turnovers and more yards, i also think i need to get multiple backs into the game, Rattay was gassed towards the end and was not breaking those big runs he had early in the season.

Trying to replace my D is going to be a challenge.

Post by **redsox907** » 16 Apr 2026, 13:35

it all fell apart quick

I've had games like that. I had a USC chise last year where I threw 6 INTs between two QBs against Georgia

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 17 Apr 2026, 00:36

redsox907 wrote: ↑
16 Apr 2026, 13:35
it all fell apart quick

I've had games like that. I had a USC chise last year where I threw 6 INTs between two QBs against Georgia

It did indeed man, just watched it all slip away and its about to get a whole lot harder.

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 17 Apr 2026, 00:37

2028 Texas A&M Football — Departures Recap
NFL Draft Exits • Graduation • Portal Movement • End of the Maroon Menaces Era

Texas A&M closes the season with one of the most decorated, productive, and iconic departure classes in school history. The Aggies lose their starting quarterback, their entire receiving corps, multiple offensive linemen, and — most notably — the legendary Maroon Menaces defensive front that terrorized college football for years.

This is the group that defined an era.
This is the class that now passes the torch.

Offensive Departures
Franchise Quarterback — Tank Royer (SO) — NFL Draft, 1st Round
A dynamic dual‑threat leader who elevated the offense with poise, toughness, and clutch play.
Final Season Production Lost: 3,019 Pass Yards • 13 TD • 305 Rush Yards • 5 TD

Backfield Shake‑Up — J.P. Preston (JR) — NFL Draft, 2nd Round
A powerful, efficient runner who became the perfect complement to Royer.
A foundational piece of the offense now heading to Sundays.

Receiver Room Overhaul
Izaiah Williams (SR) — Graduation • 4th‑Round Pick
Tristan Norman (SR) — Graduation • 7th‑Round Pick
Artie Allen (SR) — Graduation • 6th‑Round Pick
Dave Forney (JR) — 6th‑Round Pick
Peter Canty (FR) — Transfer (Playing Time)
Manny Nall (FR) — Transfer (Proximity to Home)

This is a complete reset of the WR room — four NFL picks and two young transfers gone.

Tight End Departures
Erick Callow (SR) — Graduation
Hollis Davidson III (SR) — Graduation

Two veterans who provided stability and blocking versatility.

🧱 Offensive Line Losses
LaMont Rogers (SR) — Starting LT • 4th‑Round Pick
Kash Courtney (SR) — 2nd‑String LG • Graduation
Scott Linkenbach (FR) — Transfer (Playing Time)
Keegan Gilliam (FR) — Transfer (Proximity to Home)

A blend of veteran leadership and young depth exits the trenches.

Offensive Production Lost:
• 3,019 Passing Yards
• 13 Passing TD
• 305 Rushing Yards
• 5 Rushing TD
• 207 Receptions
• 2,127 Receiving Yards
• 10 Receiving TD

This is a massive offensive reset — nearly every major contributor is gone.

Defensive Departures
This is where the dynasty‑level impact hits.
The Maroon Menaces — the most dominant defensive front in school history — have all played their final snaps.

The Maroon Menaces — All Gone
Marco Jones (SR) — Graduation • 7th‑Round Pick
Jared Smith (SR) — Graduation • 1st‑Round Pick
Solomon Williams (SR) — Graduation • 3rd‑Round Pick
Chace Sims (SR) — Graduation • 2nd‑Round Pick
DJ Sanders (SR) — Graduation

Five starters. Five monsters. Five legends.

Additional Defensive Line Departures
John Torres (JR) — Transfer (Playing Time)
Diego Singer (FR) — Transfer (Playing Time)

Linebacker Departures
Garrison Culliver (FR) — Transfer (Playing Time)
George Branson (SO) — Transfer (Playing Time)

Secondary Losses
Adonyss Currie (SR) — Graduation • 1st‑Round Pick
DeyJohn Pettaway (SR) — Graduation • 1st‑Round Pick
Trestin Castro (SR) — Graduation • 4th‑Round Pick
Jacques Goings (FR) — Transfer (Proximity to Home)

Special Teams Loss
Andres Rich (SR) — Graduation
One of the most accurate kickers in program history.

Defensive Production Lost:
• 388 Tackles
• 81 Sacks
• 163 TFL
• 7 Interceptions
• 29 PBUs
• 3 Defensive TD
• 6 Forced Fumbles
• 4 Fumble Recoveries
• 2 Safeties

This is a generational defensive exodus.

The Final Stats of the Maroon Menaces
Marco Jones: 164 Tackles • 118 TFL • 59.5 Sacks • 7 FF • 5 FR
3× Defensive End of the Year • All‑Time Sack Leader

Jared Smith: 150 Tackles • 59 TFL • 25 Sacks • FF • FR • TD • 2 Safeties

Chace Sims: 120 Tackles • 88 TFL • 44 Sacks • 4 FF • FR
Lombardi • Nagurski • Bednarik • NCAA Season Sack Leader

DJ Sanders: 97 Tackles • 61 TFL • 25.5 Sacks • 2 FF • 5 FR • 2 TD
3× Defensive End of the Year

Solomon Williams: 86 Tackles • 49 TFL • 20 Sacks • 3 FF

Trestin Castro: 216 Tackles • 11 TFL • 7 INT • 2 TD

Adonyss Currie: 168 Tackles • 18 TFL • 4 INT • TD • FR

DeyJohn Pettaway: 126 Tackles • 6 TFL • 6 INT

Andres Rich: 93/114 FG (81%) • 166/167 XP (99%)

This is one of the greatest defensive cores ever assembled in a dynasty.

Summary
Texas A&M loses:
• Its starting QB and backup QB
• Its entire WR room
• Its starting TE
• Four offensive linemen
• The entire starting defensive line
• Both starting corners
• A starting safety
• Depth at LB, DL, CB
• A record‑setting kicker

This is the end of a legendary era — but the Aggies have reloaded before, and they’ll reload again.

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 17 Apr 2026, 00:46

Texas A&M 2030 Recruiting Class — Final Round‑Up

Texas A&M 2030 Recruiting Class Recap
Ranked 2nd Nationally | 2nd in the SEC

Texas A&M just wrapped up one of the most dominant and star‑studded recruiting cycles in program history. With four five‑stars, elite trench talent, two top‑three running backs, and a pair of freakish wideouts, the Aggies finish with the No. 2 overall high school class and a transfer haul headlined by immediate defensive starters.

This class is built around speed, physicality, and SEC‑ready bodies — the exact formula needed to keep A&M in the championship conversation.

Five‑Star Headliners
WR Quan Conklin — 6'2, 194 — Del Valle, TX
5★ | NAT: 16 | POS: 3
A true WR1 with elite acceleration, body control, and hands. Conklin is a game‑changer who instantly elevates the passing attack.

MIKE Mike Gesicki — 6'1, 216 — Prosper, TX
5★ | NAT: 17 | POS: 3
A violent, instinctive middle linebacker with elite range. Gesicki is the defensive quarterback of the future.

HB Tracey Ezeala — 5'11, 204 — The Woodlands, TX
5★ | NAT: 25 | POS: 1
The No. 1 running back in the nation. Ezeala is a downhill hammer with elite burst and contact balance.

HB Cameron Azur — 5'11, 213 — Glendale, AZ
5★ | NAT: 26 | POS: 2
A powerful, explosive runner with top‑end speed. Azur + Ezeala gives A&M the best RB duo in the country.

DT Eric Booker — 6'3, 284 — Montgomery, AL
5★ | NAT: 29 | POS: 2
A dominant interior disruptor with rare quickness for his size. Booker is a future All‑American.

Four‑Star Foundation Pieces
OG Randy Rafano — 6'2, 281 — Paris, TX
4★ | NAT: 40 | POS: 3
A powerful, technically polished guard with elite leverage.

OC Daniel Jones — 6'4, 287 — Cypress, TX
4★ | NAT: 55 | POS: 1
The No. 1 center in the nation. A future multi‑year starter.

EDGE DeMario Downs — 6'5, 259 — Colleyville, TX
4★ | NAT: 160 | POS: 16
A long, explosive pass rusher with huge upside.

OT Jason Gammon — 6'7, 288 — Round Rock, TX
4★ | NAT: 185 | POS: 22
A massive, athletic tackle with blindside potential.

TE Kona Folau — 6'5, 215 — Cypress, TX
4★ | NAT: 210 | POS: 7
A long, fluid tight end with mismatch traits.

WR Jason Christman — 6'3, 197 — Cypress, TX
4★ | NAT: 364 | POS: 67
A smooth, reliable receiver with strong hands.

WR Barry Ramsour — 6'10, 212 — Cuero, TX
4★ | NAT: 422 | POS: 73
A towering red‑zone nightmare with rare size.

Three‑Star Upside & Depth Additions
K Kofi Law — 6'1, 187 — Dallas, TX
3★ | NAT: 443 | POS: 2

WR Rickie Archer — 6'1, 196 — Magnolia, TX
3★ | NAT: 422 | POS: 73

ATH Allen Thomas — 6'5, 190 — Allen, TX
3★ | NAT: 674 | POS: 1138

CB Major Hixon — 5'10, 199 — Houston, TX
3★ | NAT: 768 | POS: 70

ATH Evan Stingley — 6'0, 180 — Warner Robins, GA
3★ | NAT: 803 | POS: 42

OG Philip Okereke — 6'3, 283 — Mount Pleasant, TX
3★ | NAT: 960 | POS: 44

QB Sam Phenix — 6'1, 207 — Crosby, TX
3★ | NAT: 990 | POS: 51

TE Jimmy Kendricks — 6'5, 227 — Fort Wayne, IN
3★ | NAT: 1678 | POS: 79

CB Dontae Waller — 5'11, 190 — Missouri City, TX
3★ | NAT: 1792 | POS: 145

High School Class Ranking
2nd Nationally | 2nd in the SEC

This is one of the most complete, balanced, and star‑heavy classes A&M has ever signed.

Transfer Portal Additions
A&M didn’t just dominate high school recruiting — they added three instant‑impact defenders and a versatile offensive lineman through the portal.

EDGE Stephen Rambo — 6'5, 226 — TR (SO) — from Auburn
4★ | NAT: 41 | POS: 2
A long, explosive pass rusher with SEC experience.

CB Deron Gash — 5'11, 209 — TR (JR) — from New Mexico
4★ | NAT: 70 | POS: 8
A physical, instinctive corner with starting upside.

FS George Ramsay — 6'2, 200 — TR (SO) — from Duke
4★ | NAT: 104 | POS: 2
A rangy, ball‑hawking safety who fills a major need.

OL Enrique LaPorta — 6'5, 284 — TR (SO) — from Ohio
3★ | NAT: 400 | POS: 17
A versatile interior lineman with starting potential.

Transfer Class Ranking
182nd Nationally | 13th SEC
Small class — huge impact.

Final Verdict
This 2029 class is:

• Loaded with five‑star firepower
• Elite at RB, WR, DT, and LB
• Stacked with SEC‑caliber trench bodies
• Balanced with high‑upside three‑stars
• Boosted by three plug‑and‑play defensive transfers
• Built to compete for championships immediately

Texas A&M didn’t just reload — they leveled up.

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 17 Apr 2026, 00:54

TRANSFER PORTAL RECAP — TOP 10 CLASS

The latest portal cycle delivered another wave of high-impact movement, with elite quarterbacks, shutdown corners, and explosive playmakers reshaping rosters across the country. From SEC power shifts to Pac-12 reloads, these ten transfers headline the most influential moves of the offseason.

Top 10 Transfers

Sidney Braveman (JR) — QB Georgia → Florida State
A proven SEC starter with poise and arm talent. Braveman gives Florida State a veteran leader and instant credibility under center.

Patrick Cain (FR) — CB Oregon → USC
A freshman phenom with elite athleticism. Cain adds length and speed to USC’s secondary.

Grant Sylvan (SO) — WR Miami → Colorado
A smooth route-runner with big-play ability. Sylvan is a perfect fit for Colorado’s vertical attack.

Jamal Willie (FR) — WR Miami → Colorado
Another Miami-to-Colorado move. Willie brings burst and versatility to the Buffaloes’ offense.

De’Andre Wells (SO) — WR LSU → Clemson
A dynamic receiver with SEC experience. Wells gives Clemson a reliable target and red-zone weapon.

Bradley Newson (SO) — CB LSU → USCA
A physical corner with strong instincts. Newson joins Cain to form one of the portal’s best defensive tandems.

Zach Cunningham (FR) — WR Virginia Tech → LSU
A freshman with elite hands and separation skills. Cunningham is a future star in Baton Rouge.

Cam Anders (JR) — WR South Carolina → Oregon
A veteran receiver with proven production. Anders adds depth and leadership to Oregon’s passing game.

Quan Floyd (JR) — CB Alabama → LSU
A battle-tested SEC corner. Floyd’s arrival solidifies LSU’s secondary as one of the nation’s best.

Vai Pool (JR) — EDGE Utah → Nebraska
A relentless pass rusher with Pac-12 pedigree. Pool gives Nebraska a much-needed defensive spark.

Transfer Portal Winners & Losers

WINNERS

LSU — Cunningham and Floyd headline a defensive reload. LSU wins big on both sides of the ball.USC — Cain and Newson form a lockdown duo. The Trojans’ secondary gets a major upgrade.Colorado — Sylvan and Willie bring speed and swagger. Colorado’s offense just got dangerous.Florida State — Braveman is the missing piece. The Seminoles land a proven QB to lead their playoff push.Oregon — Anders adds experience and depth. Oregon continues to stack talent across the board.

LOSERS

Georgia — Losing Braveman hurts. A veteran QB gone from a championship-caliber roster.Miami — Sylvan and Willie were key pieces. Their departure leaves a void in the WR room.LSU — Despite gains, losing Wells and Newson stings. A mixed portal cycle overall.Alabama — Floyd’s exit weakens the secondary. Depth concerns loom.Utah — Pool’s departure leaves a hole in the pass rush.

Overall Takeaways

• The portal continues to act as a second recruiting cycle, reshaping rosters overnight.• USC and LSU emerge as the biggest winners, landing elite defensive talent.• Colorado’s offensive overhaul could pay immediate dividends.• Florida State’s addition of Braveman positions them as a dark-horse contender.• Programs losing cornerstone players face depth and leadership challenges heading into spring camp.

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 17 Apr 2026, 02:41

The Hunted · Post by **The Hunted** » 17 Apr 2026, 02:48

2030 Schedule Breakdown
Week 0 — Bye Week
A blessing. A&M needs every second to install new systems.

Week 1 — vs #19 Pittsburgh (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium)
A brutal opener for a new QB and a rebuilt defense.

Griffen’s baptism by fire.

Week 2 — SMU at Texas A&M
A chance to settle in and build rhythm.

Week 3 — #24 TCU at Texas A&M (Bateman Bowl)
The rivalry returns — and TCU will smell blood.

A&M must match emotion with execution.

Week 4 — Bye Week
Perfectly placed before the road stretch.

Week 5 — at North Carolina
UNC is fast, athletic, and explosive.
A&M’s secondary will be tested early.

Week 6 — Bye Week
Three byes in seven weeks — rare, but essential.

Because what comes next is the hardest stretch in the country.

THE SEC GAUNTLET (Weeks 7–14)
Week 7 — at Kentucky
A physical, disciplined team.
A&M must win the trenches.

Week 8 — at #3 Ole Miss
A playoff contender with elite offense.
A&M’s young defense will be pushed to its limit.

Week 9 — #5 Georgia at Texas A&M
A heavyweight fight at Kyle Field.
Georgia’s defense vs. Griffen’s development.

Week 10 — at #1 Oklahoma
The toughest game on the schedule.
New QB. Rebuilt defense. Road environment.

Survival is the goal.

Week 11 — #12 Alabama at Texas A&M
A rivalry renewed.
A&M must capitalize on home-field advantage.

Week 12 — at #25 Tennessee
Rocky Top in November is chaos.
Tennessee’s tempo will test A&M’s depth.

Week 13 — at Vanderbilt
A breather on paper — but after a month of ranked opponents, fatigue becomes the real opponent.

Week 14 — vs #10 LSU (Rivalry Game)
The finale.
The fire.
The hate.
The history.

A&M vs LSU to close the season — always violent, always emotional, always meaningful.

This year, it may define bowl eligibility.

Key Storylines
1. Can Barry Griffen handle the pressure?

He inherits:
No returning WR starters
A rebuilt OL
The hardest schedule in the country
His development determines A&M’s ceiling.

2. Who replaces the Maroon Menaces?
You don’t replace 81 sacks.
You survive the loss — and hope new stars emerge.

3. Can the secondary stabilize?
Losing Currie, Pettaway, and Castro is devastating.
Stead, Tyron, Gash, and Manuel must grow up fast.

4. Can A&M stay afloat through the SEC gauntlet?
Six ranked opponents.
Four on the road.
Two rivalry games.
A new QB.
A rebuilt defense.

This is the ultimate test of program culture.

Season Outlook
This is a transition year — but not a lost year.

If Griffen grows quickly, if the young defense finds its identity, and if A&M steals one or two upsets, this team can still push for 7–8 wins.

But the floor is lower than usual.
The schedule is unforgiving.
And the roster turnover is historic.

2030 is about survival, development, and discovering the next generation of Aggie stars.

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