Going into the 2025 offseason, Texas A&M’s most significant transfer portal need was at wide receiver, and after landing three commitments at the position, including former NC State WR KC Concepcion.
However, while the offense looks much improved, A&M’s defensive line requires starting talent and depth after losing Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, and Shemar Turner to the NFL Draft.
This week, coach Mike Elko and his staff hosted multiple defensive linemen from the portal, including Washington State’s David Gusta and Iowa State’s Tyler Onyedim. The latter committed to the Aggies late Thursday night, while Gusta could make an announcement sooner rather than later.
Onyedim is a Richmond, Texas native who was a Foster HS teammate with Texas A&M offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree. While the Aggies didn’t offer him high school, the veteran has more than proven his worth as a productive and versatile defensive lineman.
With Iowa State, Onyedim played in the 3-4 alignment within Jon Heacock’s defensive system, but at 6-4 and nearly 300 pounds, the incoming senior can stay at defensive end or shift inside at the 4i or 3-tech once he makes it to College Station.
Newest Texas A&M commit Tyler Onyedim is big, physical & strong at the POA.
Has a good motor, can play multiple spots & figures to be an important piece to the Aggies D-line.
He finished 2024 with overall grade of 65.6, 69.5 against run & 59.1 pass rush. @TheRealTyler34 pic.twitter.com/L5LBZsyLQm
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) January 3, 2025
During the previous four seasons, he produced 90 tackles, three sacks, and 12 tackles for loss. I expect Onyedim to play a similar role as Nic Scourton, the outgoing defensive end, within Elko’s defensive scheme.
A notable athlete, Onyedim finished the 2024 season with an impressive 72.4 run defensive grade and 62.7 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2024, Texas A&M’s run defense struggled, especially the edge play against the stretch-run outsize zone.
Onyedim has a nose for the ball and is an instant upgrade for Aggie’s run defense in 2025.
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