Texas A&M's 2026 season will continue on Saturday, as the Aggies will head to Tuscaloosa for the first time since the 2022 season, set to face No. 13 Alabama amid the Crimson Tide's two-game losing streak, while third-year coach Mike Elko's squad is looking to capitalize on Saturday's 41-0 shutout win over The Citadel.

The Aggies' one conference win came against Arkansas after blowing out the Razorbacks 34-7, but after failing to score a touchdown for the second time in SEC play against Missouri, starting quarterback Marcel Reed's struggles reached another level, leading to plenty of discussion among the fan base, and likely some in the coaching staff, about whether sophomore QB Brady Hart could provide better play.

Still, Mike Elko's move to make first-year defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill the defensive play-caller was the right call, as the secondary has improved in coverage, the run defense has gotten much better, and the linebacker rotation is making tackles in space.

However, Texas A&M's linebacker rotation is expected to lose two starters this offseason, knowing that Daymion Sanford and transfer Ray Coney will likely depart for the NFL, meaning Mike Elko will need to land at least one NFL-level linebacker from the portal to join rising sophomore Noah Mikhail and several young players.

On Tuesday, Auburn star junior linebacker Xavier Atkins, who was dismissed from the program this week, stated on X that he plans to enter the transfer portal after the fall semester. Atkins nearly committed to Texas A&M before choosing LSU in the 2023 recruiting class, then ultimately transferring to Auburn.

Like Ray Coney, Atkins would be a one-year rental in a scheme that fits his skill set, but given his background as an All-American-level defender after recording 84 tackles and nine sacks last season, nearly every Power Four program will pursue him, and it won't be cheap.