COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M football‘s annual spring game Saturday featured a somber note.
Mere days after being named a captain, linebacker Daymion Sanford left the scrimmage on a medical cart with a protective cast on his left foot.
Entering his senior season, Sanford was expected to replace draft hopefuls Taurean York and Scooby Williams. Now, his immediate future looks uncertain with five months until Week 1.
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MORE: Texas A&M spring game 2026: Recap, highlights as defenses shine, linebacker injured
Texas A&M wide receiver Isaiah Horton (7) makes a catch during the Maroon and White game on April 18, 2026, at Kyle Stadium in College Station.(Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Still, Saturday gave fans a glimpse of what the 2026 Aggies could look like. 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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Here are the takeaways from Texas A&M football’s spring game:
Takeaways from Texas A&M football’s 2026 spring game
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.
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Ray Coney was brought in to play alongside Sanford, but other players may need to step up as well if Sanford misses time in the fall.
Rising sophomore Noah Mikhail was one of the best players on the field Saturday, 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.
Another player in line to step up is Jordan Lockhart. The 6-foot-1, 229-pound junior had three tackles and a pass breakup Saturday.
Isaiah Horton is the real deal
Replacing KC Concepcion is no small task. The 2025 Paul Hornung Award winner 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 No. 7’s production, and the next player set to wear that number appears to be another big-time addition.
Former Alabama wideout Isaiah Horton made his Kyle Field debut Saturday and did not disappoint. The senior 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 needs. At 6-foot-4, his catch radius is massive. His ability to go up and snatch 50-50 balls is something A&M hasn’t had the past few seasons.
He 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 field-goal percentage at 61.5%. But if Saturday is any indication, that unit should be better in 2026.
The Aggies brought in kickers Dave Olano from Illinois via the transfer portal and Asher Murray in their 2026 high school recruiting class. Both were perfect Saturday in less-than-ideal conditions.
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 yards, 28 yards and 53 yards. Olano drilled a 39-yard and a 33-yard attempt.
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If Olano wins the job this fall, Murray appears to have a bright future and may change 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. As A&M protected some of its key pieces, especially in the second half post-Sanford’s injury, some freshmen stood out among their peers.
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 kept pace nicely.
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Running back KJ Edwards had just two carries for 11 yards, but he showed quickness and burst through the hole. He’s well-built for an 18-year-old freshman, and his speed is evident. He missed some spring practices with an injury, but there is reason to believe he will be an important piece of the running game after starting for Carthage High School.
Linebackers Tamarion Watkins and Tank King finished with three tackles apiece. Both also tallied at least ½ a tackle for loss for the maroon team. On the white squad, Storm Miller also added three tackles and a pass breakup.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.
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