Maroon Goon Alert: Tide Tackle Trades Crimson for Maroon
With four starters departing on the offensive line, Texas A&M tapped the transfer portal to shore up its protection for QB Marcel Reed. Alabama’s sturdy right tackle Wilkin Formby, fresh off starting 16 games for the Crimson Tide in 2025, announced his commitment to the Aggies after a short campus visit. Formby’s experience anchoring a line that fended off elite pass rushers and enabled Ty Simpson’s efficient season makes him a coveted addition. Under coach Mike Elko and line coach Adam Cushing—both on a mission to rebuild the front five—the Maroon Goon roster now boasts four SEC transfer linemen, hoping Formby becomes the next pro-bound Aggie-blocker.
Behold, the great conveyor belt of collegiate football: one minute you’re basting quarterbacks in Tuscaloosa, the next you’re dining on chicken fried steak in College Station. It’s like “Buy One, Get One Free” on offensive tackles—only this time, the Aggies snag the BOGO deal. Formby’s relocation is part of a grand buffet where rival linemen juggle their allegiances like hot potatoes, all to dodge the fiery wrath of conference pass rushers. And yes, the stereotype checks out: nothing says “commitment” like a midwinter campus tour followed by a hasty X (formerly Twitter) post. SEC linemen, consider yourselves on thin ice—or should we say, thin turf?
Diamond Stars: A&M Outfielder, Shortstop Earn All-American Honors
After a disappointing 2025 season, Texas A&M baseball turned to Port Arthur’s Caden Sorrell and transfer Chris Hacopian for leadership in 2026. Both players earned second-team Preseason All-American recognition from Perfect Game: Sorrell as designated hitter after a .337 average, 12 homers and 32 RBIs, and Hacopian as infielder following a .375/.502/.656 slash line at Maryland. The Aggies, hoping to return to Omaha, begin their season February 13 against Tennessee Tech under coach Michael Earley with two marquee bats leading the charge.
Because nothing screams “baseball revival” like plastering preseason hardware on your wardrobe and calling it a plan. The Aggies apparently missed the memo that All-American predictions are just educated guesses from folks in polo shirts and khakis. But hey, if you can strut into February flaunting Perfect Game’s blessing, you’re halfway to a national title—just ask every team that topped those lists and then tripped over opening weekend. Pitchers beware: these two sluggers are coming for you with the swagger of athletes who once had brighter recruiting stars than a Hollywood blockbuster.
Sooner Beware: Triple Threats to Watch in College Station
Oklahoma’s offense will rely on three standouts when they visit Texas A&M: senior guard Nijel Pack, the Sooners’ leading scorer shooting 44.9% from deep; junior guard Xzayvier Brown, a 48% floor shooter averaging 15.7 points; and forward Tae Davis, exploding at 51.7% from the field while pulling down 6.3 rebounds. After a nail-biting loss to Auburn, A&M’s defense must clamp down on these sharpshooters and slashing wings to avoid another last-second spectacle at Neville Arena.
Brace yourself: the Sooners are unleashing their secret weapons—three guys who can swish threes, slash to the basket, and generally make Aggies question the very concept of rim protection. It’s as if Oklahoma’s coach tapped into the College Basketball Villains handbook: recruit sharpshooters who live for the drop-step, then throw them at unsuspecting hosts. If Pack, Brown, and Davis synchronize like a boy band, the Maroon and White might find themselves clutching their heads instead of the ball. Better load up on popcorn—this one’s a potential thriller.
Midfield Heist: A&M Snags Tennessee’s Injured DB
Shortly after entering the portal, Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson III declared for Texas A&M. A 26-game Volunteer, Gibson logged 42 tackles and six pass deflections before a season-ending arm injury in 2025. Expected to start at corner for the Vols, he now bolsters coach Mike Elko’s secondary, which has seen several departures. A&M kicks off 2026 hosting Missouri State, counting on Gibson to patch holes in a defense missing key pieces since its early College Football Playoff exit.
Gibson’s big move proves once again that the NCAA transfer portal doubles as the ultimate SEC swap meet: “I’ll trade you a quarterback for a defensive back and some late-night nachos.” Navigating injuries, highlight tapes, and bowl game heartache, this Tennessee alum now gets to learn the ins and outs of Kyle Field’s 12th Man flag etiquette. Let’s hope his arm heals better than the Volunteers’ national title hopes, or he might end up auditioning for the portal a second time. Either way, A&M’s DB room just got a fresh coat of Volunteer orange—er, Maroon.
Portal Exit: Big-Body Tackle Ditches the Maroon Huddle
Dealyn Evans, a once-promising four-star defensive tackle for Texas A&M, entered the transfer portal after limited playing time behind Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim. Standing 6-5, 300+ pounds, Evans hoped for a larger role but saw action in five games over two seasons. With three new D-line commits incoming and a coaching shuffle from Sean Spencer to Elijah Robinson, Evans seeks guaranteed reps and three years of eligibility left to prove his SEC mettle elsewhere.
Goodbye, Dealyn! Don’t let the portal door hit you on the way out—unless you’ve bulked up to 400 pounds and need extra room. Witness the majestic cycle: recruit a blue-chip giant, let him marinate on the bench behind your veterans, then watch him ascend the neon “Transfer Portal” marquee like it’s Broadway. The Aggies may be salvaging depth with new recruits, but Evans’s departure is a perfect case study in “if you snooze on the depth chart, you’ll boomerang back to recruiter DMs.” Next stop: whichever school can guarantee him 37 snaps a game and a corner office for recruiting pictures.
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