The Texas A&M defensive tackle room is in trouble. The team lost two starters to the NFL Draft and another to the transfer portal, leaving a massive hole in the middle of the defense. Good Bull Hunting reports that the unit is now a major question mark for the 2026 season. I’m not buying the idea that new faces will fix this overnight. The depth is thin, and the pressure is on one player to carry the load.
Who Walked Away?
The losses are severe and they’re real. Tyler Onyedim made an immediate impact last year with 48 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss before getting taken in the third round of the NFL Draft. Albert Regis also left for the pros after a long career at Texas A&M, contributing 49 tackles while serving as the elder statesman of the room. According to Good Bull Hunting, the Aggies will certainly lack his veteran presence. Dealyn Evans exited too, signing with Mississippi State after playing in all 13 games. Losing three players with that much experience along the interior is a huge challenge.
It’s a thin lineup.
The Burden on Hicks
DJ Hicks is the only big name left standing. He was a former five-star recruit but needs to have a breakout campaign in his senior season. Good Bull Hunting states that Hicks represents the biggest returning name in the group, meaning the team will have to look to him to lead the unit. Relying on one player to fix a broken line is risky, though. The article highlights that Hicks must be counted on heavily to emerge as a playmaker. If he doesn’t take a leap forward, the interior defense will struggle.
Can Transfers Fill the Gap?
The team tried to fix the depth with the transfer portal. They added CJ Mims from North Carolina, Angelo McCollum from Illinois, and Brandon Davis-Swain from Colorado. Good Bull Hunting says all three are likely to see significant playing time because of the lack of experience. However, the writer doesn’t love relying on portal guys. The high school ranks were quiet too, with only one freshman listed. The depth is a concern, and the Aggies don’t have a ton of players with experience. The linebacker unit behind them faces similar challenges, making the whole defense shaky.
The overall grade for this position is a C. That isn’t a passing grade for a team with big hopes. The unit isn’t in a terrible spot, but it’s far from where it needs to be. The Aggies need a miracle from their transfers and their senior captain. Do you think DJ Hicks can carry the weight of this defense alone?
