Aggies Portal Tracker: Sellers Out, Houston Thomas In

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The activity at the Bright Football Complex has been frantic in the days following Texas A&M's CFP exit. Head Coach Mike Elko is reshaping his roster for 2026, dealing with both significant attrition and targeted additions.

New Aggies in Town

The Aggies secured two key commitments this weekend to address specific roster needs:

1. Houston Thomas (TE, UTSA): A College Station native returning home. Thomas was a standout for the Roadrunners and provides A&M with a proven pass-catching threat at the tight end position, a crucial element in Collin Klein's offense.
2. David Olano (K, Illinois): Special teams was a priority, and Olano brings Big Ten experience and accuracy to Kyle Field.

Notable Departures

The portal door swings both ways, and A&M has lost some promising young talent:

• Cobey Sellers (CB): The freshman cornerback entered the portal on Jan 2nd, a blow to the secondary's future depth.
• Izaiah Williams (WR): The sophomore receiver leaves seeking more playing time.
• Solomon Williams (DE): Committed to Cal after entering the portal earlier this week.

The Elko Effect

Despite the losses, A&M currently ranks 3rd in On3's Transfer Portal Team Rankings. Elko's ability to retain QB Marcel Reed while plugging holes with experienced transfers like Thomas keeps the Aggies in the championship conversation for 2026.

The Aggies continue to build a roster capable of competing in the SEC, focusing on finding players who fit the program's culture and scheme, from high school recruits to portal veterans.

Depth Chart Impact

Thomas is the most important addition for offensive structure. A reliable tight end lets Texas A&M stay multiple without substituting, which helps Collin Klein disguise run, play-action, and quick-game looks around Marcel Reed. If Thomas can block well enough to stay on the field, he becomes more than a pass-catching luxury.

Olano matters in a different way. Special teams stability rarely drives headlines, but a dependable kicker changes fourth-down decision-making and late-game management. For a team trying to stay in the SEC title race, those hidden snaps carry real value.

Roster Watch

Sellers' departure makes cornerback depth worth monitoring through spring. The Aggies can still be strong at the top of the room, but losing young developmental talent puts more pressure on incoming transfers and freshmen to fill the second unit. Our next updates should separate confirmed contributors from names still competing for backup roles.