By Tony Thomas
The Texas A&M Aggies landed 16 players from the transfer portal, 11 of whom are on the defensive side of the ball. As we get closer to the start of spring practice, we look at three portal players who could have a significant impact for the Aggies in 2024.
Edge Nic Scourton
Previous School: Purdue
6’4”, 280 lbs.
Nic Scourton registered 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and one forced fumble on his way to 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors for the Purdue Boilermakers in 2023. Scourton’s 10 sacks led the Big Ten. He recorded two sacks in a game twice, against Michigan and Indiana. Against Virginia Tech, Scourton posted five tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. In a loss to Nebraska, he made a season-high 10 tackles with three tackles for loss.
Nic Scourton (@NicCaraway3) of @BoilerFootball with the chop/spin sack. Beats the over-setting tackle & RB chip with the spin move inside. Executes a textbook “gator roll” tackle for the sack! #passrush #boilerup
S/O @CoachCook73 for the clip! pic.twitter.com/EZdScGe9g2
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 12, 2023
Scourton is a native son of Bryan, Texas, so this is a homecoming for him and a significant pickup for the Aggies’ defense, one that ranked in the Top 20 in both Total Defense and Rushing Defense.
Cornerback BJ Mayes
Previous School: UAB
6’0”, 175 lbs.
The 2023 AAC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Mayes picked off two passes to go with 41 tackles, broke up 10 passes, and was named to the 1st Team All-AAC defense. A Houston, TX native, Mayes posted four games with five or more tackles and broke up at least one pass in nine of twelve games last season.
More Sports News
🚨BREAKING🚨 – CB BJ Mayes has committed to Texas A&M!!!
Mayes is a transfer from UAB who, in the last two seasons, amassed 82 tackles, 3 INT’s, & 21 PBU’s🔥
LOCKDOWN CORNER pic.twitter.com/nlEFaKZ9Ms
— Aggie Sports 365 (@365Aggie) January 7, 2024
CB Dezz Ricks
Previous School: Alabama
6’1, 175 lbs.
A 5-star prospect, Dezz Ricks was rated the #2 cornerback in the country and a Top 25 player out of high school, according to the 247Sports Composite. Ricks saw limited action as a freshman for Alabama in 2023. His spot on the depth chart was firmly behind fellow freshman Caleb Downs and sophomore Terrion Arnold.
Alabama transfer DB Dezz Ricks committed to Texas A&M @mfarrellsports https://t.co/p2ZoKHeLo5
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) January 17, 2024
Ricks is one of seven defensive backs to transfer to the Aggies and new Head Coach Mike Elko, and he comes to a Texas A&M team that ranked #37 in the FBS (and #6 in the SEC) in pass defense.
