Oct 6, 2026 5:12 PM
Landon Rink is forcing his way into a larger Texas A&M role as the sophomore defensive tackle emerges as a bright spot on a struggling pass rush.
Texas A&M’s defensive front hasn’t produced enough pressure through five games, but Landon Rink is giving Mike Elko a reason to rethink how the Aggies distribute snaps up front.
The sophomore defensive tackle earned his first start of the season in Texas A&M’s 34-7 win over Arkansas and continues to carve out a bigger role heading into Saturday’s road test against No. 14 Missouri.
“He continues to get better, continues to grow,” Elko said Monday. “He’s a young kid we had a lot of expectations for this year. He earned the right to go out there with the first group on Saturday.”
Rink has played 90 defensive snaps this season and has recorded 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and nine defensive stops, according to available statistical data.
That’s an important correction from some published reports that mistakenly listed him with 12 sacks.
The production stands out even more because Texas A&M has totaled only five sacks as a team through five games.
There were encouraging signs against Arkansas. Sophomore edge defender Marco Jones recorded a sack and six pressures, giving the Aggies one of their better individual pass-rushing performances of the season.
Jones, Northwestern transfer Anto Saka and the rest of the front will need to build on that performance if A&M wants to create more consistent problems for opposing quarterbacks.
Rink’s value, however, goes beyond sacks.
He’s been especially effective against the run, and his combination of leverage, strength and interior discipline has helped him become one of the more dependable pieces in the rotation.
His emergence is notable considering he entered the season behind a deep group of veteran defensive tackles.
The Cypress, Texas, product also has an interesting family connection. His father, Shane Rink, played defensive tackle at Texas in the 1990s, but Landon ultimately chose Texas A&M.
Now he’s beginning to make that decision pay off.
After starting SEC play with losses to Kentucky and LSU, the Aggies improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play by dominating Arkansas.
The next challenge is considerably tougher: a trip to Columbia to face No. 14 Missouri.
If Texas A&M’s defensive front is going to take another step forward, Rink appears likely to be right in the middle of it.
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