Tag: Elijah Alston

Former Marshall junior DE Elijah Alston chooses Miami after decommitting from Texas A&M

After being committed to Texas A&M for a brief 22 hours via the NCAA Transfer Portal, former Marshall junior defensive end Elijah Alston has selected a new destination.

After being committed to Texas A&M for a brief 22 hours via the NCAA Transfer Portal, former Marshall junior defensive end Elijah Alston has selected a new destination.

According to a report from Pete Nakos, an On3 Sports college sports business & transfer portal reporter, Alston has chosen the University of Miami as his next home.

Earlier this week, Alston committed to the Aggies over Georgia on Monday morning. However, less than a day later, he changed his mind and reopened his recruitment. Now he has decided to play for the Hurricanes.

The 6-foot-2, 256-pound defensive lineman had been with the Thundering Herd since 2019 but had extended action since 2021. In the last three seasons at Marshall, he tallied 102 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Alston has a 91.0 overall grade and 90.5 pass-rush grade. Those statistics are based on 235 pass rush snaps in which he racked up 36 QB pressures and 5 sacks.

He redshirted in 2019 and played four games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Therefore, Alston has one year of collegiate eligibility remaining at Miami.

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Marshall junior DE Elijah Alston re-opens recruitment 22 hours after Texas A&M commitment

Marshall junior defensive end Elijah Alston committed to Texas A&M on Monday morning via the NCAA Transfer Portal. However, only 22 hours later, Alston had second thoughts.

Well, that was fun while it lasted.

Marshall junior defensive end Elijah Alston committed to Texas A&M on Monday morning via the NCAA Transfer Portal. However, only 22 hours later, Alston had second thoughts.

Alston’s plans to play in College Station were revealed by TexAgs on Monday. He confirmed the report with respective posts on Instagram and X that have since been deleted.

“Recruiting back open,” Alston proclaimed Tuesday morning via X.

The 6-foot-2, 256-pound defensive lineman had picked the Aggies over Georgia, which he visited this past weekend. Alston has been with the Thundering Herd since 2019 but has had extended action since 2021. In the last three seasons at Marshall, he tallied 102 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Alston has a 91.0 overall grade and 90.5 pass-rush grade. Those statistics are based on 235 pass rush snaps in which he racked up 36 QB pressures and 5 sacks.

He redshirted in 2019 and played four games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Therefore, Alston has one year of collegiate eligibility remaining.

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Texas A&M HC Mike Elko has already rebuilt the Aggies’ defensive line through the transfer portal

Through the transfer portal, new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has added a bevy of experience to A&M’s 2024 defensive line.

For those who still question if new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko can recruit in the name, image and likeness era and the ever-growing transfer portal, I think you’ve received a clear answer nine days into the new year.

Since taking the helm on Nov. 27, Elko, who is coming off a brief but successful two-year head coaching stint at Duke, is facing the usual lofty expectations former Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher could never reach. So far this offseason, Elko and his impressive staff have landed 22 players from the transfer portal, including four veterans on the defensive line.

Of course, the Aggies incurred several losses across the line. Former 2022 five-star defensive lineman Walter Nolen’s decision to transfer to Ole Miss surprised us all. However, Elko is clearly looking to avoid a rebuild by replacing younger talent with proven production, led by former Purdue edge and 2023 Big Ten sack leader Nic Sourton.

Sourton certainly sticks out as a “plug and play” option next season. However, defensive end Elijah Alston (Marshall), edge Cashius Howell (Bowling Green) and defensive lineman Rodas Johnson (Wisconsin) bring a wealth of experience. Combined with incoming sophomore defensive linemen DJ Hicks and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, the newcomers pose an immediate threat as a vicious pass rush unit on paper.

Want more proof? According to Pro Football Focus, Nic Scourton (90.9), Cashius Howell (89.8) and Elijah Alston (90.5) were borderline elite rushing the passer in 2023, providing Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman plenty of options on third-down situations. Not to leave out Rodas Johnson, whose size and strength make him a potential shoo-in for the vacant nose tackle spot in 2024.

The arrival of all four veterans will aid in developing younger Aggie pass rushers Malick Sylla and Rylan Kennedy. Both players possess the length and athleticism to contribute in spurts throughout next season, hopefully.

While waiting on an official announcement from junior defensive tackle Shemar Turner regarding his intentions to return or declare for the 2024 NFL draft, Elko has prepared for whatever path he chooses. That should provide a cushion for every Aggie fan worried about his impending decision.

Lastly, Texas A&M has already exceeded the 85-player roster limit, which likely means several of the players committed through the portal may re-enter during the spring period, which might be the toughest job for Mike Elko and his staff in just three short months.

UPDATE: Former Marshall defensive end Elijah Alston will reconsider his options as of Tuesday, Jan. 9.

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Former Marshall defensive end Elijah Alston commits to Texas A&M over Georgia in transfer portal

Former Marshall redshirt junior defensive end Elijah Alston has committed to continue his career in Bryan-College Station at Texas A&M.

Former Marshall redshirt junior defensive end Elijah Alston has committed to continue his career in Bryan-College Station at Texas A&M.

According to TexAgs recruiting & baseball analyst Ryan Brauninger, Alston committed to the Aggies and head coach Mike Elko on Monday morning. Alston confirmed the report with respective posts on Instagram on X.

The 6-foot-2, 256-pound defensive lineman chose Texas A&M over Georgia, which he visited this past weekend. Alston has been with the Thundering Herd since 2019 but has had extended action since 2021. In the last three seasons at Marshall, he tallied 102 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Alston has a 91.0 overall grade and 90.5 pass-rush grade. Those statistics are based on 235 pass rush snaps in which he racked up 36 QB pressures and 5 sacks.

He redshirted in 2019 and played four games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Therefore, Alston comes to Kyle Field with one year of collegiate eligibility remaining.

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Report: Marshall transfer DE set to visit Georgia football

Marshall transfer defensive end is slated to visit the Georgia Bulldogs and two other college football programs

Marshall Thundering Herd transfer defensive lineman Elijah Alston has upcoming visits to the Georgia and Boston College. The three-star transfer prospect has visited Texas A&M.

Alston recorded 42 tackles and six sacks in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end has 9.5 career sacks.

Alston received a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia on Christmas Eve. The talented defensive end could help fortify Georgia’s pass rush for the 2024 college football season. Georgia is still awaiting NFL draft decisions from key defensive linemen Warren Brinson, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Nazir Stackhouse.

What should Georgia fans know about Alston?

Texas A&M offers former Marshall DE Elijah Alston

Texas A&M has fielded an offer to productive former Marshall defensive end Elijah Alston, who was an All-Sun Belt selection in 2023.

Already landing seven players through the transfer portal, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko continued molding the 2024 roster to his liking, adding several high-profile defensive prospects, including former Vanderbilt standout safety De’Rickey Wright, on Friday morning.

Looking to continue adding depth on the defensive line, veteran pass rusher Fadil Diggs has departed for Syracuse, leaving a hole on the edge, and while defensive end Shemar Turner has yet to announce whether he’ll return or possibly enter the 2024 NFL Draft, the Aggies have fielded an offer to productive former Marshall DE Elijah Alston.

Alston is coming off his best collegiate season yet, finishing the 2023 campaign with 45 tackles (23 solo tackles), six sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and two pass deflections on the year, and was named as an All-SEC Sun Belt selection at seasons end.

Even more impressive, according to Pro Football Focus, Alston ended the season with a 91.3 grade. Finishing his Marshall career with 104 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, Mike Elko prioritizes experience over raw talent heading into the 2024 season, making Alston a perfect fit under new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.

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