Anto Saka's electrifying athleticism and pass-rush prowess are poised to terrorize SEC quarterbacks, marking a new era for the Aggies' defense.
Texas A&M’s defensive line is getting the full offseason makeover, and like any renovation, it comes with a little dust in the air.
The interior depth took a hit when Dealyn Evans departed, leaving the Aggies a bit thin inside. But if you are worried about whether A&M can still hunt quarterbacks in 2026, take a deep breath and look at the edges.
Mike Elko’s staff went shopping for heat, and they came back with two veteran pass rushers who can actually affect games: Ryan Henderson (San Diego State) and Anto Saka (Northwestern). The Aggies’ pass rush looks upgraded in a big way.
Henderson posted seven sacks and a 72.9 PFF pass rush grade, which is the kind of steady production coaches love because it travels.
Saka’s raw sack totals will not blow up your phone, but scouts do not get paid to stare at box scores. They get paid to find traits, and Saka is basically a walking traits checklist.
He is 6-4, over 250 pounds, and he has the kind of explosive testing numbers that make NFL evaluators show up early and pretend they are just watching warmups. A reported 36.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-4 broad jump will do that.
There is also real production underneath the athletic profile.
As a 2023 redshirt freshman, Saka delivered 5.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. In 2024, he earned All-Big Ten honorable mention and ranked 13th in the Big Ten in pass rush win percentage per PFF.
Add in that he has reportedly put on about 15 pounds and is carrying close to 260 now, and you have the outline of a player ready to be more than a situational rusher.
Bruce Feldman included Saka on his annual “Freaks List,” which is basically college football’s way of saying, “Yes, this guy looks like he was created in a lab.”
If some Aggie fans are still waiting for a star portal addition, this is the closest thing you can get without a neon sign. If Saka is consistently on the field in money situations, that is your clue the staff believes he can be the next Cashius Howell type of disruptor.
The interior might be a work in progress, but the edges are bringing the noise. And in the SEC, that is often the difference between a good defense and a nightmare.