Here are the Top 5 incoming defensive transfers to watch out for during spring football

Here are five of the incoming transfer portal members on defense for Texas A&M to watch during the start of spring football next month.

It may be early in the offseason, but Texas A&M’s spring football season is less than a month away, and all eyes will be on how new head coach Mike Elko and his impressive coaching staff will develop the defense, including a bulk of the incoming defensive transfers looking to contribute in 2024 immediately.

Bringing in a wealth of elite defensive knowledge, Elko, combined with new defensive coordinator/ linebackers coach Jay Bateman, see eye to eye scheme-wise, but for consistent success to be had, the newly acquired seasoned veterans paired with key returners such as senior defensive lineman Shemar Turner is the only way towards said production.

With 13 of the program’s 22 portal additions coming on defensive, Aggie’s horrific performance in the secondary last season, specifically a lack of size, depth, and overall talent at cornerback, provided Elko a blueprint on how to attack the portal, landing five corners and two safeties to compete for starting/rotational spots.

Looking ahead to the start of Texas A&M’s spring football season, here are five transfer portal defenders to watch out for next month!

Senior safety De’Rickey Wright explains decision to transfer from Vanderbilt to Texas A&M in portal

In an interview with GigEm247’s Carter Karels, senior DB De’Rickey Wright explains what led him to transferring to Texas A&M.

Redshirt senior safety De’Rickey Wright chose Texas A&M in the NCAA Transfer Portal on Dec. 22 after four years at Vanderbilt.

Wright recently spoke to Aggies beat writer Carter Karels of 247Sports to explain his decision to select College Station as his next home.

“(A&M) actually showed me that they care about me as a person and a player,” Wright told GigEm247. “I loved their pitch. I feel like we shared a lot of interests and we both want to win at a high level. I love playing in the SEC. You get to play against great competition week in and week out.”

Head coach Mike Elko‘s recent decision to retain Bryant Gross-Armiento as a senior defensive analyst might’ve been the reason that Wesley McGriff opted to stay at Auburn. However, per Karels, that move also helped Wright make his choice.

“They love the way I am rangy, how I can make a lot of plays and get the ball. They said they want me as a safety and they love my range and length,” Wright explained. “In the spring, I am not going to be around the team or around the strength staff, so I know that I am going to have to put in even more work, so when I come in, I can hit the ground running. I am extremely excited because I have this amazing opportunity to play at Texas A&M and all the traditions they have down there.

“But I know I have to put my all into it, which I have been doing these past couple of years at Vandy.”

Despite the departure of senior safety Jardin Gilbert for LSU in the portal opening a spot in the starting 11, Wright is ready to earn his opportunity.

“I am not somebody who is going to shy away from competition,” Wright said. “I feel like I have had competition all my life. So it is not something that is new to me. I actually like competition. It makes you better. It makes the people around you better. So I am somebody who welcomes competition.

“I know they said there is a high chance of me coming in and starting. But for somebody to start, you’ve got to work for it. One of my core values is hard work. I know that I am going to have to put in the work.”

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Texas offers Vanderbilt LB transfer De’Rickey Wright

Texas continues to search the transfer portal, this time for help at linebacker.

Steve Sarkisian and his staff are still looking to make additions to the roster via the transfer portal. Texas’ latest transfer offer is former Vanderbilt linebacker, De’Rickey Wright.

Wright announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Feb. 15.

Wright played a bit of linebacker-safety hybrid role at Vanderbilt. He racked up 24 total tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss in eight games for the Commodores in 2021.

The Alabama native was recruited by Texas special teams’ coach Jeff Banks during his time in Tuscaloosa. Wright committed to the Crimson Tide before eventually signing with Vanderbilt in the 2020 class.

Wright’s 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame projects him as an outside linebacker in Pete Kwiatkowsi’s scheme. He has the potential to rush the passer off the edge and provide help in coverage.

Adding Wright would add another talent to Texas’ strong group of newcomers.

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