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The 2026 transfer portal is officially open, and Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is entirely focused on landing veteran playmakers on both sides of the ball, while suring up both lines of scrimmage to help the run game, and improve a run defense that gave up too many explosive runs late in the year, resulting in back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami in the CFP.
Elko and his staff have their own list of transfer targets that likely matches what other insiders and we have been reporting. Still, with nine players declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, only incoming junior wide receiver Mario Craver, who reportedly signed a massive NIL deal to stay with the Aggies through the 2025 season, is the only player to announce his return next season publicly.
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So, who are the key players Elko is looking to retain? According to AggieYell insider Jaxson Callaway, junior safety Marcus Ratcliffe, junior left guard Chase Bisontis, and junior linebacker Taurean York are the names to watch before the NFL Draft deadline on January 14, and the Aggies are close to securing an agreement with Ratcliffe.
However, York and Bisontis have yet to decide about their futures and are likely discussing the decision with their agents while gauging the benefits of returning for a final season. For Bisontis, another year would aid his development and could result in becoming a first-round draft pick.
York's draft status likely won't change much, but another productive season, paired with improved run defense, would also be beneficial to his NFL future. Callaway also noted that sophomore edge Rylan Kennedy, who entered the transfer portal last week, could return next season. Still, Elko has his eyes on several transfer defensive linemen if that does not come to fruition.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M is reportedly working towards retaining three key players
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