Offense
The quarterback room will see a competition. Adam Damante returns and led the Aggies to a victory over rival UTEP. The additions of Trey Hedden (Furman), Kalani McLeod (JUCO), and Parker Stofa (Jackson State) provide that push this unit needs. Hedden seems to be the favorite after starting for two years at Furman.
The running back room needs to have better production. The Aggies ran for an FBS worst 2.6 yards per carry. Dijon Stanley returns after starting nine games last season. The additions of James Jones (Delaware State), Terrell “TJ” Washington Jr. (Iowa), and true freshman Xavier Rucker should give the room some much needed juice.
The wide receiver room returns experience in TK King, TJ Pride, Brodie Malone-Bradford, and AJ Williams III. King can stretch the field. The additions of Lyndon Ravare (Kennesaw State), Myles Libman (Stanford), Devin Ellison (Washington State), and several tight ends, provide this room with much needed depth.
The offensive line room will be transfer heavy. Mateo Rodriguez, Ma’Kyi Lee, and Sioeli Helu return with the most experience. The additions of Armond Owens (Grambling), Tyler Keinath (Boise State), James Williams (UTEP), Mark Chapman (Columbia), Luke Moise (Wofford), and Caleb Pyfrom (JUCO), among others, are crucial to this team’s success.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Gabe Peterson, Bradley Visisel, Obinna Okeke, Henry Davis III, Enzo-Pierre Tayou, and Josiah Jackson. The additions of Kaian Roberts-Day (UTSA), Jeremiah Sandiford (Tennessee Tech), Jordan-Lebron Downey (D2 Livingstone), and Zhakius Thomas (JUCO) are massive for this unit.
The linebacker room returns production in Tory Gethers (All-CUSA), Sone Aupiu, and Zalden Davis. Gethers and Aupiu make plays all over the field. Watch out for Chance Barron, who missed last season with an injury. The additions of Fa’Apaia Fualema (JUCO) and true freshman Jaylyn Manning provide added depth.
The secondary returns experience in Josiah Charles, Lorenzo Smith, Bernock Iya, Nick Session, Saveon Freeman, and DJ Lloyd. Tayden Barnes (Cincinnati), Amaurey Brooks (Fordham), RJ Chapman (Merrimack), Javon Gillespie (East Texas A&M), Izzy Clark-White (Monmouth), and De’Marcus Peters (D2 Texas A&M Kingsville) will contribute.
Specialists
The punting duties will belong to Minnesota transfer Brody Richter. The kicking role will see a competition between David Baker and Utah Tech transfer Ilya Uvaydov. TK King and Dijon Stanley are also weapons as return men.
2026 Schedule
- 8/29 at Florida State
- 9/5 Mercyhurst
- 9/12 at Hawai’i
- 9/26 New Mexico
- 10/1 Western Kentucky
- 10/7 at Florida International
- 10/21 at Sam Houston
- 10/28 Jacksonville State
- 11/7 Liberty
- 11/14 at Missouri State
- 11/21 Delaware
- 11/28 at Middle Tennessee State
Final Analysis
Tony Sanchez has added transfers to key roles in hopes it can lead the Aggies back to bowl eligibility. The schedule sets up to where they can do just that. Having a balanced offense will be key. As will the defense continuing to force turnovers.
