Texas A&M football players (left to right) Cashius Howell, KC Concepcion and Chase Bisontis show off their skills during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Austin American-Statesman
COLLEGE STATION — In 2014, Texas A&M football had three players selected in the NFL draft’s first round. Twelve years later, it could happen again.
More than a decade ago, Aggies offensive lineman Jake Matthew (No. 6 overall to Atlanta), wide receiver Mike Evans (No. 7 to Tampa Bay) and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel (No. 22 to Cleveland) were picked in the first round.
Article continues below this ad
This year’s A&M group features wide receiver KC Concepcion, edge rusher Cashius Howell and offensive lineman Chase Bisontis, all three of whom have been range around the top 20-40 top prospects in the class.
MORE: Texas A&M freshmen, Isaiah Horton shine plus other takeaways from 2026 spring game
They headline an Aggies group that earned a school-record 13 NFL combine invites, a scenario head coach Mike Elko envisioned last spring.
“When you look at the current roster, we project to have more NFL draft picks on this (2025) football team than we have had in quite a long time,” Elko said May 21. “I think you can see anywhere from 10 to 12 Aggies get their name called next year in the NFL draft.”
Article continues below this ad
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Cashius Howell #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrates after making a sack against Jackson Arnold #11 of the Auburn Tigers (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the game at Kyle Field on September 27, 2025 in College Station. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images
Texas A&M football aims for NFL draft history
Just last season, A&M had three players selected in the first two rounds. Edge rusher Shemar Stewart went first at pick No. 17 to Cincinnati, with his running mate, Nic Scourton, not far behind at No. 51 to Carolina. Rounding out the group was defensive tackle Shemar Turner at pick No. 62 to Chicago.
Although they were the only three Aggies players selected in the draft class, it may have signaled the future for the program.
Article continues below this ad
Stewart and Turner were homegrown talents, spending their entire collegiate careers in the maroon and white. However, Scourton was a one-year transfer portal add, a theme that could continue this year.
Bisontis spent all three seasons with the Aggies, beginning his career under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. But Howell and Concepcion. Potential first-round selections were brought in from elsewhere.
Howell was an all-Mid-American Conference selection in 2023, spending two seasons with Bowling Green. From there, the 6-foot-3 pass rusher committed to Elko in his first season in Aggieland, tallying 15½ sacks, 22½ tackles for loss and two forced fumbles over his two seasons in College Station.
The Kansas City native was a rotational pass rusher in 2024, behind Stewart and Scourton. But he bided his time and eventually exploded into one of the SEC’s premier pass rushers, winning SEC defensive player of the year, catapulting himself into first-round pick conversations.
Article continues below this ad
Concepcion’s success was more instantaneous.
He began his career at North Carolina State before coming to the Aggies in 2025. He was named the 2025 Paul Hornung Award winner as the most versatile player in major college football, after starting in all 13 games, recording 919 receiving yards, 61 receptions and nine touchdowns. He added 456 yards and two touchdowns as a punt returner.
Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs the ball during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Other Aggies have a chance to go early, too
The top three Aggies should be long gone before the draft’s final day Saturday, but several more could be selected late Friday night and early into the weekend.
Article continues below this ad
Offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover is ranked 108th on Pro Football Focus’s big board after a strong Senior Bowl week. Cornerback Will Lee III is another transfer portal addition, who made a tremendous mark on the Aggies. Lee is ranked 114th by PFF after two strong seasons roaming A&M’s secondary.
Trey Zuhn III (No. 143) is an offensive lineman who could hear his name called on Day 2 Friday, while LB Taurean York (No. 145), who started every game in his three-year collegiate career with the Aggies, could hear his name early Saturday as well.
Running back Le’Veon Moss (No. 150) was highly productive when on the field, finishing his career with 1,767 total rushing yards and 22 touchdowns over 37 games. The main concern is his health, as he failed to reach 10 games in any season during his four-year collegiate career.
Tight end Nate Boerkircher (No. 158) was a walk-on at Nebraska before making an immediate impact for the Aggies, including a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of their Week 3 win over Notre Dame. Offensive guard Ar’Maj Reed-Adams (No. 185) served as a captain in 2025, while defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim (No. 244) was another impact transfer for the Aggies after four seasons at Iowa State.
Article continues below this ad
All told, Elko’s double-digit prediction for draft picks looks to be a strong one. But what may be more impressive is that it could be the second consecutive season that A&M has multiple first-round draft picks. It would be the first time in program history that’s happened.
He and the Aggies hope it becomes an annual tradition.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.
Article continues below this ad