Follow along as GigEm247 updates which Texas A&M players the Aggies are losing and adding via the NCAA Transfer Portal during the spring of 2024.
Carter Karels
Texas A&M hammered the NCAA Transfer Portal earlier this offseason, adding 24 scholarship players who entered during the 30-day winter window. With the 15-day spring portal period opening Tuesday, the Aggies will have an opportunity to bolster their roster again.
On National Signing Day in February, A&M head coach Mike Elko said he anticipates losing between eight to 12 scholarship players to the portal this spring. How many players the Aggies plan to add remains to be seen.
"In an attempt to try to be at 85 when you need to be at 85, it is not the easiest thing in the world," said Elko about the NCAA-imposed limit of 85 scholarships. "Every cycle has been different. I think last year, the spring cycle was not as prominent with impact players at times. That could completely change this cycle. Who knows, because this is all still new and fresh to everybody.
"But we certainly did not want to go into a situation where post spring ball we were having to fill an awful lot of spots. I do not know that there is a lot of natural attrition that happens post-spring ball. That does not seem like a natural time for people to decide to switch rosters."
Below is a running list of players that A&M added and subtracted via the portal during the spring window. Later in the article, GigEm247 has an assessment on each outgoing and incoming transfer. GigEm247 also examined the remaining needs for the Aggies ahead of the spring portal window, which can be found here and here.
Coming to A&M via the portal during the spring window
None yet.
Leaving A&M viathe portal during the spring window
1. S Jacoby Mathews(April 16, 2024)– ?
2. LB Alex Howard(April 16, 2024)– ?
3. CB Sam McCall (April 16, 2024)– ?
4. OLDerrick Graham (April 16, 2024) — ?
Transfers who entered the portal during the spring window and have reported scholarship offers from the Aggies
1. Rutgers DT Rene Konga (April 16, 2024)– ?
2. Kent State DT CJ West (April 16, 2024)– ?
3. Colorado OT Savion Washington (April 17, 2024)– ?
*Note: This list only includes players who announced that they have received an offer from the Aggies. There could theoretically be players who picked up an A&M offer but did not make it known publicly.
Leaving the Aggies: OL Derrick Graham
Date he entered the portal: April 16, 2024.
Landing spot: Undecided.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
2023 stats: Started all 14 games at left tackle.
Career stats: Appeared in 38 games with 24 starts across four seasons at Troy (2020-23).
Quick takeaway: Three months after transferring from Troy to A&M, Graham is back in the transfer portal. Graham gave the Aggies a versatile and experienced offensive lineman, but heprobably would have been nothing more than a depth piece. Top left tackle Trey Zuhn III is expected to remain as the starter. Reuben Fatheree II and Dametrious Crownover have been primarily competing for the starting right tackle spot this offseason.
Leaving the Aggies: CB Sam McCall
Date he entered the portal: April 16, 2024.
Landing spot: Undecided.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
2023 stats: Appeared in 11 games with one start. Recorded six tackles and a pass defended.
Career stats: Appeared in 19 games with one start across two seasons – one at Florida State (2022) and the other at A&M (2023). Recorded a combined 11 tackles and a pass defended while returning eight kickoffs for 142 yards.
Quick takeaway: This was an expected departure for the Aggies. Before A&M started spring practice, 247Sports reported that McCall planned to enter the portal. He did not practice with the Aggies this spring.
If McCall remained at A&M, he probably would not have played much in 2024. The Aggies seemed to recruit over McCall during the winter window, adding four outside cornerbacks: Will Lee III (Kansas State), Donovan Saunders (Cal Poly), BJ Mayes (UAB) and Dezz Ricks (Alabama). Incumbent starter Tyreek Chappell returned following last season, too.
Leaving the Aggies: LB Alex Howard
Date he entered the portal: April 16, 2024.
Landing spot: Undecided.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One.
2023 stats: Started in all 13 games. Recorded 76 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and three passes defended.
Career stats: Appeared in 38 games with 16 starts across five seasons at Youngstown State (2019-23). Recorded a combined 142 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, one interception, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Quick takeaway: This was an expected departure for the Aggies. Howard arrived at A&M in January and participated in most of its spring practices, but on April 15, heannounced that he planned to put his name into the portal.
Whether Howard would have secured a starting role for the Aggies seems unlikely. Through spring practice so far, A&M sophom*ores Taurean York and Daymion Sanford have probably stood out the most at linebacker.
Leaving the Aggies: S Jacoby Mathews
Date he entered the portal: April 16, 2024.
Landing spot: Undecided.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
2023 stats: Appeared in 11 games with nine starts. Recorded 42 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception and five passes defended.
Career stats: Appeared in 21 games with 12 starts across two seasons at A&M (2022-23). Recorded a combined 67 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception and eight passes defended.
Quick takeaway: This was an expected departure for the Aggies. Before A&M started spring practice, 247Sports reported that Mathews planned to enter the portal. He did not practice with the Aggies this spring.
Despite receiving a lot of immediate playing time, Mathews would have likely had a tough time starting in 2024. Junior Bryce Anderson switched from nickel cornerback to safety earlier this offseason and seems primed to secure a starting role. Sophom*oreDalton Brooks returned and has impressed this spring. During the winter portal window, A&M added three competent safeties who were full-time starters elsewhere: De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt), Trey Jones (Central Michigan) and Marcus Ratcliffe (San Diego State).
