Texas A&M is getting a fearsome pass disruptor in this former Northwestern Wildcat.
Northwestern brought in a pretty solid transfer portal class this winter, but one departure could hurt the Wildcats right where it matters: Anto Saka.
The edge rusher entered the portal after receiving his degree and ultimately transferred to Texas A&M for his redshirt senior season. Saka was widely viewed as one of Northwestern's most likely players to be drafted and was expected to lead the Wildcats' defense in 2026.
Instead, Saka will undoubtedly climb up draft boards for the Aggies and have the opportunity to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Athletic's Sam Khan Jr. ranked Saka the 10th-best defensive line transfer in this year's cycle.
"Saka, also a Freaks List member, possesses intriguing physical traits," Khan wrote. "It's a matter of getting the production to match. He was particularly effective from the left side, where his pass-rush productivity rate was second-best among Big Ten edge rushers. If he can up his production to the level that A&M has received from its last two edge rusher transfers — Nic Scourton in 2024 and Cashius Howell in 2025 — it would be a massive boost to the Aggies' defensive front."
The former four-star recruit is 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, and came in as Bruce Feldman's No. 56 player on the aforementioned "2025 Freaks List," which ranks the best athletes in college football. Saka also reportedly logged a 10-foot-4 broad jump and a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump last summer.
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) runs the ball past Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Anto Saka (4) during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesAfter redshirting as a true freshman, Saka appeared in 33 games for the 'Cats over three years. The Baltimore, Md., native tallied 41 total tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss and 12 sacks during his time in Evanston, along with three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
In 2025, Saka started 11 of Northwestern's 13 games and went for 13 total tackles, four tackles-for-loss and three sacks. He missed NU's win against Penn State in the regular season and the team's victory over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl due to a foot injury. His efforts earned Saka an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention nod.
Former Northwestern tight end Hunter Welcing also joined Saka as a ranked outgoing transfer. Khan listed the seventh-year senior as the No. 7 player at his position, following his commitment to Ohio State out of the portal.
Quarterback Aidan Chiles, who previously played for Michigan State, was Northwestern's only incoming transfer to receive a positional ranking from Khan and The Athletic. The mobile passer stacked up as the 20th-best quarterback transfer of the cycle.
