Among the record 10 Texas A&M players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, several of the Aggies’ star defensive linemen, led by unanimous All-American Edge Cashius Howell, who led the SEC with 11.5 sacks, and defensive tackles Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim, were off the board in the second and third rounds.
Heading into his third season at the helm, coach Mike Elko’s offseason premonition that “10 to 12” players would be drafted provided a transfer portal strategy to replace all three veteran defensive linemen, after seniors DJ Hicks and T.J. Searcy announced their return for a final season.
Thanks to a large NIL budget and Elko’s development background, the Aggies landed transfer commitments from senior Edge Anto Saka and defensive tackles CJ Mims and Angelo McCullum, all of whom are expected to earn key starting/rotational roles. Still, DJ Hicks and T.J. Searcy have made significant progress during the Aggies 12 preseason practices, and on Friday, Searcy spoke to the media for the first time this offseason.
One of the most underrated defenders on the roster, Searcy recorded 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks, possessing the size at 6’5″ and nearly 260 pounds to shift inside if needed, and while he’d like to increase his sack numbers, the former Florida transfer stated on Friday that consistency as a run defender will lead to more pressures and sacks down the stretch.
Searcy was also asked about the Aggies’ revamped linebacker rotation’s readiness to adjust the defense and keep everyone set, feeling confident that Daymion Sanford, transfer Ray Coney, and sophomore Noah Mikhail’s size, football IQ, and physicality will win the day.
Already one of the program’s more reliable run defenders, Searcy will be heavily depended on to set the tone on first and second down.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M senior DE talks D-line development, 2026 expectations
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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By Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire | USA TODAY Network
