2023/2024 Transfer Portal Recap – Texas AM

By Mark Pszonak

With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the Texas A&M Aggies

The skinny: Jimbo Fisher’s disappointing coaching tenure with the Aggies is complete, so now it is up to new head coach Mike Elko to try and reach the fanbase’s lofty goals. As expected, the roster turnover was relatively high since the coaching change, which resulted in a very busy portal cycle in College Station. The Aggies focused on the offensive line and secondary, where multiple players were brought in hopes of rejuvenating struggling positions.

Total # entries into portal: 36

Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 29

Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 2

Key losses: DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), WR Evan Stewart (Oregon), DB Jardin Gilbert (LSU), OL Naquil Betrand (Alabama), DL Fadil Diggs (Syracuse)

Key additions: DE Nic Scourton (Purdue), LB Solomon DeShields (Pittsburgh), DE Cashius Howell (Bowling Green), DB BJ Mayes (UAB), OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Kansas), OL Kolinu’u Faaiu (Utah), DB Will Lee (Kansas State), DB Marcus Ratcliffe (San Diego State)

Final thoughts: With all of the player turnover on the offensive line and secondary, expect plenty of depth chart movement throughout summer camp. However, both positions where helped when OL Chase Bisontis and DB Tyreek Chappell withdrew their names from the portal. Two of the new names to watch on the offensive line are Kolinu’u Faaiu , who should stabilize the center position, and Ar’maj Reed-Adams . The secondary is more of a guessing game right now, but expect BJ Hayes, Will Lee and Marcus Ratcliffe to play major roles in 2024. The defensive line already had impressive returning talent, but then became potentially dominant with the additions of Nic Scourton , who was extremely impressive this spring, and Cashius Howell . It is difficult to figure out what realistic expectations are during Coach Elko’s first season, but Aggies’ fans may need to show a bit of patience before seeing significant results.