Texas A&M linebacker Daymion Sanford gets carted off the field during the Maroon and White game Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station.
Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Texas A&M wide receiver Isaiah Horton #7 makes a catch during the Maroon and White game on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station.
Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed runs during the Maroon and White game on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station.
Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
COLLEGE STATION — The big storyline from Texas A&M’s annual spring football game Saturday is somber.
Mere days after being named a captain, linebacker Daymion Sanford left the Maroon and White game on a medical cart with an aircast on his left foot.
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The Aggies’ leader is entering his senior season, primed to take a leap and set to replace draft hopefuls Taurean York and Scooby Williams. Now, his immediate future looks uncertain as he and A&M embark on the next three months.
On the field, though, there was plenty to take away. Over a dozen players added via the transfer portal, and more than 20 high school recruits all got their first chance to play in front of a crowd at Kyle Field.
Some veterans made splash plays, while a few freshmen impressed in their debuts.
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Daymion Sanford injury creates potential opportunity
Sanford’s injury, if long-term, will undoubtedly sting for the Aggies. The Katy native has appeared in 39 games over three seasons, recording 94 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 4½ sacks.
While Ray Coney was brought in to play alongside Sanford, other players may need to step up as well. If Sanford misses time, it creates an opportunity for younger players, with one already looking like a bright spot Saturday.
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Rising sophomore Noah Mikhail was one of the best players on the field, tallying four tackles, a half tackle for loss and a 30-yard pick-six.
All spring, the California native has looked strong in the middle of A&M’s defense. He has been vocal, confident and strong during practices, and that continued to be true in the spring game.
Another player who is in line to step up is Jordan Lockhart. The junior has three tackles and a pass breakup on Saturday and has looked like a player already in line for a big role in the Aggies’ defense.
Isaiah Horton is the real deal
Replacing KC Concepcion is no small task. The 2025 Paul Hornung Award winner was a home-run addition for A&M last offseason. He finished with 919 receiving yards, 61 receptions and nine touchdowns. He also added 456 yards and two touchdowns in the return game.
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The Aggies knew they needed to replace his production, and the player set to wear No. 7 in 2026, as Concepcion did last year, appears to be another big-time addition.
Former Alabama wideout Isaiah Horton made his Kyle Field debut Saturday and did not disappoint. The 6-foot-4 pass catcher tallied three receptions for 79 yards, including an acrobatic grab on a back-shoulder throw for a 33-yard gain.
Horton is a big-bodied target, exactly what the Aggies’ offense needed. His catch radius is massive, and he makes catching a pass look effortless.
His ability to go up and snatch 50-50 balls is something A&M hasn’t had in a while and appears to be a perfect complement to what the shifty Mario Craver brings on the other side of the formation.
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Kicking situation looks more comfortable
A&M’s kicking game ranked among the worst in the country last season, finishing last in the SEC in converting field goal at 61.5%.
But that appears to be a thing of the past.
The Aggies brought in Dave Olano from Illinois via the transfer portal and Asher Murray in their 2026 recruiting class. Both were perfect Saturday in less-than-ideal conditions.
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As the wind swirled and rain came and went, Olano and Murray finished a combined 5-for-5 on field goals and 1-for-1 on point-after tries. Murray made kicks from 29, 28 and 53 yards. Olano drilled 39- and 33-yard attempts.
Both looked confident and unfazed by the elements. Even if Olano wins the job this fall, Murray appears to have a bright future and may have changed the outlook for what was once a dreadful field goal unit.
Freshmen make presence felt
Spring games naturally offer opportunities for younger, less established players. Saturday was no different for A&M, as it protected some of its key pieces, especially in the second half post-Sanford’s injury.
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That doesn’t change the fact that some freshmen stood out among their peers.
Freshman cornerback Brandon Arrington had two pass break-ups and two tackles and was continuously in the hip pocket of the receivers he covered. Quarterbacks tried him on deep shots more than once, and the former five-star more than held his own.
Running back KJ Edwards had just two carries for 11 yards, but he showed quickness and burst through the hole that was worth noting. He’s well-built for a freshman, and his speed is evident. He was hampered for part of the spring, missing some action, but there is reason to believe he will be an important piece of the running game in his first season in Aggieland.
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A pair of freshmen linebackers were routinely in the mix, with both Tamarion Watkins and Tank King finishing with three tackles apiece. Both also tallied at least half a tackle for loss for the maroon team. On the white squad, Storm Miller also added three tackles and a pass breakup.