With nearly all of the college football world thrust into the 2026 offseason, Texas A&M football is in the middle of a nationwide arms race that will determine the ability for a sustained playoff campaign this next year.

For head coach Mike Elko, an incredibly pressing need is the defensive line, which will be heavily depleted this next season. From losing Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell to depth pieces along the defensive line, the Aggies have a need that must be addressed.

Therefore, Northwestern transfer Anto Saka presents a perfect opportunity for Elko and his staff to develop him into an SEC-caliber defender, and he has the measurables to back it up. Now, he’s set for a visit to College Station.

D-Line U?

A&M has had its fair share of players going off to enjoy successful careers in the NFL, but as of late, those players are becoming indomitable forces on the defensive front. In fact, Aggie alum Myles Garrett just finished setting the single-season record for sacks, and Washington outside linebacker Von Miller is still getting the job done in his 15th season with 9 sacks.

Consensus All-American Cashius Howell is on track to go in the first 50 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, which could easily draw Saka to commit to the program that Elko is building from the ground up.

Elko has showcased his ability to develop players such as Howell, and Saka could follow a similar blueprint. The six-foot-four, 255-pound edge has been making an impact since the day he stepped foot on Northwestern’s campus, and he racked up 12 sacks in his three years as a Wildcat.

His junior campaign was his least productive in terms of sacks, but he still managed to force two fumbles and create disruption on the defensive line for the rest of his supporting cast to make an impact as well.

NFL talent in college quickly equates to success and championships, and the more that the Aggies can bring home to College Station, the easier it will be to get to where they want to be as a program. Adding a defender like Saka would bring an all-around pass rusher who is built for any situation.

Saka’s build is very similar to that of Howell’s, and although it would be crazy to anticipate a player replicating his success, the only way folks would know is if he decides to make Aggieland his final stop in college.

Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone remains in the transfer portal, and it seems as though fans don’t know how to feel about it.

Different rumors and hypotheticals have surfaced to explain his departure, leaving people unsure of what to believe.

However, Bobby Burton of On Texas Football has set the record straight regarding the Livingstone situation.

Livingstone reportedly not forced out of Texas

In Livingstone’s goodbye message to Longhorn fans, he said that his decision to transfer was “out of my control.” While this statement could have some truth to it, and fans looking inward will probably never get a full explanation, it doesn’t appear as though the redshirt freshman was forced out the door with no alternative. 

According to Burton, he was actually offered a mid-six figure NIL/ revenue sharing deal with the Longhorns. He turned the deal down, choosing to become one of over 15 Longhorns to enter his name into the transfer portal instead. 

Burton revealed these details about Livingstone’s offer in response to an article published by The Athletic, which used Livingstone as an example of players who had to enter into the portal involuntarily.

The business behind college football in the modern era is complicated. That much is undeniable. 

That being said, describing his departure as involuntary when a significant amount of money existed for him at Texas seems somewhat contradictory.

Livingstone could’ve been told that his playing time would be at risk, or he could’ve come to a realization that he could probably get a better deal with a different program. There also could’ve been factors playing into his decision that no one has even thought of. 

It’s hard to determine exactly what goes on behind closed doors, especially as college players become more involved in the business side of the game.

Livingstone likely couldn’t have anticipated the way in which his particular case would be used as one to critique the transfer portal at large, but that seems to be a byproduct of being a well-known and well-respected player within a program. 

Right now, his main priority is probably finding a future home that suits him and what he hopes to achieve throughout the rest of his college career. The Indiana Hoosiers and Oklahoma Sooners have both emerged as schools he will take a closer look at, and more will be revealed soon about where Livingstone will set up shop for this next chapter of his football career.