Texas A&M’s transfer portal departures total 19 so far. These losses don’t move the needle heading into the 2025 season outside of lost depth at several positions. However, the news that starting defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart will enter the 2025 NFL Draft placed a hole along the defensive line.
While incoming junior Edge Cashius Howell is likely to return, more help is needed. Coach Mike Elko has set up a visit with Western Kentucky transfer Edge Deante McCray, who is looking for a new home for the 2025 season.
While McCray’s 50 tackles and 2.5 sacks are similar to one of the Aggies’ recent Edge visitors, Florida transfer Jack Plyburn, the sophomore defender, finished the 2024 season with an impressive 75.8 defensive grade and 77.5 run defense grade per Pro Football Focus.
Texas A&M’s run defense struggled against physical running teams like South Carolina and Georgia, as it was apparent that the defense needed more reliable run stoppers off the edge, something McCray thrived at during his last two seasons with the Hilltoppers.
According to 247Sports’ Matt Zentiz, Texas A&M will host McCray sometime next week, including stops at Oklahoma State.
Texas A&M’s four losses during the 2024 season all included poor run defense, so this is a smart strategy to target players who live to stuff runners in the backfield.
Ex-Western Kentucky EDGE Deante McCray is set to visit Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Cal next week, his agents @callmeagentdwil and @FCProspects_ tell @chris_hummer and me for @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Had the fourth-highest grade among Conference USA EDGE defenders this year, per… pic.twitter.com/EtmW6yxDEo
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 14, 2024
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