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Just days after Texas A&M's first-round College Football Playoff loss to Miami, third-year coach Mike Elko and his staff went to work in the transfer portal, landing 17 future starters and key reserves, including former Tulsa linebacker Ray Coney, who became a name to know after the 2025 season, recording 128 tackles and two sacks during his lone season with the Golden Hurricanes.
After veteran starting linebacker Taurean York departed for the NFL, going undrafted, but signing a deal with the Denver Broncos, Coney's additions became that much more important, while senior linebacker Daymion Sanford's brutal lower-body injury during the Maroon & White Game will likely keep him sidelined for the first half of the 2026 season.
With Sanford out of commission, Mike Elko and new linebackers coach Travis Williams will rely on Coney and sophomore Noah Mikhail, a former blue-chip recruit who is coming off an impressive spring performance, which included returning an interception for one of two touchdowns during the spring game.
Compared to last season, Taurean York's lack of size was an issue at times, and given that Mikhail and Coney are both 6'2" and regarded as consistent run defenders bodes well for the Aggies' chances of improving a leaky run defense during the latter half of the 2025 season.
This summer, Coney caught the attention of one NFL analyst, who is enamored with the Tulsa transfer's explosive athleticism, tackling instincts, and NFL size at 6'2" and over 240 pounds. Earning impressive grades from Pro Football Focus, including 87.6 overall and 86.9 as a run defender, Coney's 23 pressures provide Elko and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill plenty to work with on third-down looks.
Before Daymion Sanford returns, the pressure will fall on Ray Coney and Noah Mikhail to provide steady play, and you can be sure NFL scouts will be keeping an eye on the senior transfer.
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 Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M transfer LB becoming a popular NFL Draft prospect
Continue reading...
After veteran starting linebacker Taurean York departed for the NFL, going undrafted, but signing a deal with the Denver Broncos, Coney's additions became that much more important, while senior linebacker Daymion Sanford's brutal lower-body injury during the Maroon & White Game will likely keep him sidelined for the first half of the 2026 season.
With Sanford out of commission, Mike Elko and new linebackers coach Travis Williams will rely on Coney and sophomore Noah Mikhail, a former blue-chip recruit who is coming off an impressive spring performance, which included returning an interception for one of two touchdowns during the spring game.
Compared to last season, Taurean York's lack of size was an issue at times, and given that Mikhail and Coney are both 6'2" and regarded as consistent run defenders bodes well for the Aggies' chances of improving a leaky run defense during the latter half of the 2025 season.
This summer, Coney caught the attention of one NFL analyst, who is enamored with the Tulsa transfer's explosive athleticism, tackling instincts, and NFL size at 6'2" and over 240 pounds. Earning impressive grades from Pro Football Focus, including 87.6 overall and 86.9 as a run defender, Coney's 23 pressures provide Elko and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill plenty to work with on third-down looks.
Before Daymion Sanford returns, the pressure will fall on Ray Coney and Noah Mikhail to provide steady play, and you can be sure NFL scouts will be keeping an eye on the senior transfer.
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 Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M transfer LB becoming a popular NFL Draft prospect
Continue reading...
