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Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and his coaching staff have been on quite a heater, landing three commitments from the transfer portal over the last two days, including two on Sunday, as former Tulsa linebacker Ray Coney, followed by sophomore Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard, committed to the Aggies. They are considered two of the best transfer players at their respective positions.
Byard, who transferred to Colorado from USF before the 2025 season, has all the makings of becoming a future NFL starter, producing a team-high 79 tackles, 58 solo tackles, four pass deflections, and an interception, while earning exceptional Pro Football Focus grades.
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After senior safety Bryce Anderson entered the transfer portal, Byard's addition to a talented but spotty safety rotation has more than solidified this room, especially after senior Marcus Ratcliffe re-signed with the program last week. Set to return Dalton Brooks, Rashad "Tom Tom" Johnson, and Miles Davis, Byard is one of the more elite coverage safeties, consistently in position to make a play on the ball.
What's even more impressive is Byard's position versatility, possessing the skill set to play both safety and nickel, and while the Aggies are pursuing Florida State defensive back Edwin Joseph, landing Byard provides some insurance at both spots over the next two seasons.
Choosing the Aggies over Tennessee, Ohio State, and Oregon, Byard, who happens to be the younger brother of NFL All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, feels that Mike Elko and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill are the keys to the incoming redshirt junior reaching his full potential.
"Prove that I'm one of the best safeties in the country and to dominate the SEC and win the national championship.”
According to PFF, Byard has not allowed a touchdown in coverage in a combined 522 coverage snaps throughout his three-year career. When facing Byard this season, quarterbacks averaged a 70.8 rating, which is slightly above average. Against the run, Byard isn't afraid to take on physical runners and shoot the gap, playing with consistent toughness.
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For those who didn't watch him during the 2025 season, the video below does a great job of showing his nose for the football and what he'll bring to the 2026 Aggie secondary.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's transfer S Tawfiq Byard is elite in pass coverage
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