Story byCameron Ohnysty, Aggies WireSun, January 11, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC·2 min readTexas A&M head coach Mike Elko has continued to prove that, no matter how the previous season ended, this time, falling to Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff, his ability to land players from the transfer portal is only matched by a few programs, which continued this month. Since the portal opened a little over a week ago, Elko and his staff have landed 14 transfer commitments. While some will say the Aggies have yet to secure a "splash" commitment, Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka is highly regarded as an elite pass rusher, despite producing just three sacks last season. Still in the running for Auburn star wide receiver Cam Coleman, Alabama transfer wideout Isaiah Horton visited Texas A&M on Saturday and is also seen as a top target for the coaching staff, especially if Coleman commits elsewhere. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter losing four starting offensive linemen to the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko and O-line coach Adam Cushing went to work, adding four likely replacements, starting with guards Coen Echols (LSU) and Trovon Baugh (South Carolina), while landing tackles Tyree Adams (LSU) and Wilkin Formby (Alabama) on Wednesday and Thursday. Outside of securing commitments from tight ends Houston Thomas (UTSA) and Richie Anderson (Fresno State), Mike Elko's focus on beefing up his 2026 secondary led to landing Colorado transfer safety Tafiq Byard and Tennessee transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson, who will both compete for starting or rotational spots next season. ESPN writer Max Olson praised Texas A&M's early success in the portal, noting that, even after losing so many veteran stars, including junior linebacker Taurean York to the NFL Draft, the focus on reloading rather than rebuilding has been impressive to watch. This is what it looks like when a program is committed to keep competing.