Texas A&M's 2026 linebacker rotation will lose three-year starter Taurean York and senior Scooby Williams, who both declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, leading to coach Mike Elko going into the transfer portal with a clear need for a starting-level middle linebacker to fill the void of York's departure, while also looking for more size.
Thanks to Texas A&M's previous success in the transfer portal, Elko landed a commitment from Tulsa linebacker Ray Coney, whose one and only season with the Hurricanes made him one of the more underrated transfer additions, producing 128 tackles, 41 solo tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, and stands at 6'2" and nearly 250 pounds.
Among the rest of the transfer linebackers who are viewed as "instant impact" players, Coney, per Pro Football Focus's 2025 grades, was the second-highest-rated linebacker who has committed to a new team heading into the 2026 season, finishing with an impressive 87.6 overall grade, sitting right below Oklahoma State transfer LB Ethan Wesloski.
Paired with an 86.3 run defense mark and a 74.5 pass rush grade, Coney checks every box for Mike Elko and new linebackers coach Travis Williams, and will more than likely slot in as the team's starting middle linebacker, joining incoming senior and two-time SEC Player of the Week LB Daymion Sanford, who is already an established veteran who thrives in coverage.
Coney's 86.3 run-defense grade is equally important. While run defense starts up front, possessing the size and strength to stop physical running backs at the second level was a consistent issue last season and should be addressed next season.
Highest Graded Transfer Linebackers this Off-Season🔥 pic.twitter.com/3YYZDfK53w
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 14, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football: LB Ray Coney brings elite PFF grade to Aggies