Texas A&M transfer edge rusher Malick Sylla signs with rival SEC school

Former Texas A&M edge rusher Malick Sylla will transfer to play for Mississippi State this upcoming season, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. Sylla played the past three seasons with the Aggies and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-6 edge rusher appeared in eight games this past season to finish with six total tackles and two sacks. He played in 33 total contests across his career in College Station to record 26 tackles (six for loss) and four sacks.

Sylla played high school football for Katy (TX), where he was a four-star prospect out of the 2022 class. He ranked as the No. 124 overall player and No. 12 edge rusher in the cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“It was just the best opportunity for myself,” explained the 6-foot-6 and 245-pound Sylla to Maroon and White Daily. “I saw an opportunity to help them turn the program around. I have one year left and I want to make the most of that opportunity.”

Prior to his commitment to the Bulldogs, Sylla also made visits with Syracuse and SMU. He is the 14th overall player and the second edge rusher that MSU has added through the portal so far, joining Nevaeh Sanders from Northern Illinois.

Malick Sylla ranks as the No. 295 overall player and No. 29 edge rusher according to On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He joins a Mississippi State team that is coming off of a 2-10 finish in the inaugural season under coach Jeff Lebby and will look to help bolster a unit that ranked last in the SEC in total defense.

The portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered their names into the NCAA’s transfer database during the 2023-24 school year. Removing those who withdrew or went pro, the final total sat at 2,707 transfers.

So far this cycle, 2,079 players have entered the transfer portal with 551 of those already having committed to new schools.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.