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Texas A&M's deep secondary could prove to be one of the top units in the Southeastern Conference in 2026, with a slew of returning stars and talented transfer portal additions looking to make a splash.
During Tuesday's media availability, head coach Mike Elko said this year's secondary is as deep as it has ever been, after ranking second in the conference with just 2,296 total passing yards allowed last season. Safeties Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe return for their senior campaigns, while Dezz Ricks, Julio Humphrey and Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson III lock down the cornerback position. Colorado transfer safety Tawfiq Byard also joined the Aggies in the offseason, one year removed from not allowing a passing touchdown in over 500 snaps with the Buffaloes.
While the secondary unit performed well in the program's run to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, Texas A&M struggled to create turnovers, tied for 131st in the nation with just two interceptions. The Aggies' defense also ranked 31st with 11 forced fumbles, which has been a point of emphasis this offseason, according to Brooks during this week's player availability.
Here are some players in Texas A&M's secondary to watch in 2026 in our overview of the unit for the upcoming campaign:
Last season, the Aggies ranked among the nation's best in yards allowed per game and total yards allowed. Despite some movement with the coaching staff, Elko and company were able to retain veterans like Marcus Ratcliffe, Dalton Brooks, Dezz Ricks, and Julio Humphrey, while also landing massive portal additions in Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson III and Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard.
For this unit to be elite again in 2026, they must be able to create more turnovers. The only Aggie in the secondary to record an interception last season was Brooks, who hauled in one of Texas A&M's three total interceptions. Having an experienced secondary with talent at every position will be key against a nine-game schedule, especially facing quarterbacks like Sam Leavitt, LaNorris Sellers, Arch Manning and John Mateer this season.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M secondary preview: Can experienced unit be elite in 2026?
Continue reading...
During Tuesday's media availability, head coach Mike Elko said this year's secondary is as deep as it has ever been, after ranking second in the conference with just 2,296 total passing yards allowed last season. Safeties Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe return for their senior campaigns, while Dezz Ricks, Julio Humphrey and Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson III lock down the cornerback position. Colorado transfer safety Tawfiq Byard also joined the Aggies in the offseason, one year removed from not allowing a passing touchdown in over 500 snaps with the Buffaloes.
While the secondary unit performed well in the program's run to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, Texas A&M struggled to create turnovers, tied for 131st in the nation with just two interceptions. The Aggies' defense also ranked 31st with 11 forced fumbles, which has been a point of emphasis this offseason, according to Brooks during this week's player availability.
Here are some players in Texas A&M's secondary to watch in 2026 in our overview of the unit for the upcoming campaign:
Meet the Aggies
Cornerbacks
- #2 Dezz Ricks (Alabama) - RS Jr., 6'1", 193 lbs
- #6 Julio Humphrey (Georgia) - RS Sr., 6'1", 197 lbs
- #8 Jordan Shaw (Washington) - RS Jr., 5'11", 180 lbs
- #9 Rickey Gibson III (Tennessee) - Gr., 6'0", 181 lbs
- #13 Deyjhon Pettaway - RS Fr., 5'10", 182 lbs
- #16 Jamar Beal-Goines - RS Fr., 5'11", 178 lbs
- #20 Adonyss Currie - RS Fr., 6'0", 181 lbs
- #21 Vic Singleton - Fr., 5'11", 175 lbs
- #23 Brandon Arrington - Fr., 6'2", 201 lbs
- #86 Ryan Burtin - RS Jr., 5'7", 170 lbs
Safeties
- #3 Marcus Ratcliffe (San Diego State) - Sr., 6'3", 211 lbs
- #4 Tawfiq Byard (Colorado) - RS Jr., 6'1", 198 lbs
- #7 Dalton Brooks - Sr., 6'0", 202 lbs
- #13 Myles Davis - Jr., 6'1", 203 lbs
- #15 Tylan Wilson - Fr., 6'1", 204 lbs
- #22 Tom Tom Johnson Jr. - RS Fr., 6'1", 201 lbs
- #26 Layne Gerke - RS So., 5'10", 196 lbs
- #28 Chance Collins - Fr., 6'1", 201 lbs
- #37 Peyton Gay - RS So., 5'10", 199 lbs
Secondary Preview
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Last season, the Aggies ranked among the nation's best in yards allowed per game and total yards allowed. Despite some movement with the coaching staff, Elko and company were able to retain veterans like Marcus Ratcliffe, Dalton Brooks, Dezz Ricks, and Julio Humphrey, while also landing massive portal additions in Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson III and Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard.
For this unit to be elite again in 2026, they must be able to create more turnovers. The only Aggie in the secondary to record an interception last season was Brooks, who hauled in one of Texas A&M's three total interceptions. Having an experienced secondary with talent at every position will be key against a nine-game schedule, especially facing quarterbacks like Sam Leavitt, LaNorris Sellers, Arch Manning and John Mateer this season.
Projected Starting Depth Chart
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Boundary CB
- Dezz Ricks
- Julio Humphrey
Field CB
- Rickey Gibson III
- Adonyss Currie
Nickel
- Jordan Shaw
- Bryce Anderson
Strong Safety
- Dalton Brooks
- Tawfiq Byard
Free safety
- Marcus Ratcliffe
- Myles Davis
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M secondary preview: Can experienced unit be elite in 2026?
Continue reading...
