Elko battles the portal and NFL draft declarations, prioritizing trench toughness and veteran leadership to reshape Texas A&M's 2026 roster.
The 2026 transfer portal window is officially open, and Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko is wasting no time reshaping the roster for next season.
The mission is clear ... add veteran playmakers, fortify both lines of scrimmage, and fix a run game and run defense that faltered late in the year.
Those issues proved costly. Texas A&M struggled to consistently control the line of scrimmage down the stretch, contributing to back-to-back losses to the Texas Longhorns in the regular season and the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff. As a result, Elko's portal strategy is focused less on splash skill additions and more on physical upgrades up front.
Time, however, is not on the Aggies' side. Nine Texas A&M players have already declared for the NFL Draft, thinning depth and increasing urgency. To this point, wide receiver Mario Craver is the lone player to publicly announce his return after reportedly agreeing to a significant NIL package to stay in College Station.
The next dominoes could be pivotal.
According to AggieYell insider Jaxson Callaway, three junior starters loom large ahead of the NFL Draft entry deadline on January 14: safety Marcus Ratcliffe, left guard Chase Bisontis, and linebacker Taurean York.
There is optimism surrounding Ratcliffe, as Texas A&M is reportedly close to securing an agreement that would keep the veteran safety in maroon and white. His return would provide stability in the secondary at a time when continuity is scarce.
Bisontis and York remain undecided.
Both are believed to be consulting with agents while weighing their draft projections against the benefits of another college season. For Bisontis, returning could be especially strategic. Another year anchoring the offensive line could accelerate his development and elevate him into first-round NFL Draft territory.
York's stock may not shift either way, but a strong final season - paired with noticeable improvement in the Aggies' run defense - could only help his professional outlook.
One more situation to monitor is edge rusher Rylan Kennedy.
Although Kennedy declared his intention to enter the transfer portal last week, a return to Texas A&M is still possible. Elko and his staff are simultaneously evaluating multiple defensive line transfers as contingency plans.
Between portal pursuits and draft decisions, the next two weeks will shape Texas A&M's 2026 roster more than any stretch since the season ended.
For Elko, it's a balancing act - retain proven leaders, add trench toughness, and move fast enough to stay ahead in an unforgiving portal market.