Texas A&M's revamped linebacker room now features several freshmen from the 2026 signing class, combined with key transfer additions like Ray Coney, who, during his one and only season with Tulsa, racked up 128 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 pass deflections before hitting the portal, looking to take another step in his development before heading to the NFL. Last season, veterans Taurean York and Scooby Williams entered the 2025 season as A&M's starting linebackers, but due to Williams' injury issues, junior Daymion Sanford made an immediate and lasting impact in his absence, recording a career-high 57 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. After York and Williams departed for the NFL this offseason, Sanford, Coney, and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail entered the spring season as the projected starting rotation, but after Sanford's brutal fibula injury during the Maroon & White Game, Coney's importance skyrocketed heading into the summer. However, Sanford healed much quicker than expected after surgery and, through nine preseason practices, has looked nearly 100% healthy and, according to coach Mike Elko and new DC Lyle Hemphill, is on track to start the season opener vs. Missouri State. Still, Ray Coney, who Lyle Hemphill recently praised as a "thumper" and one of the better athletes on the roster, is on pace to start at middle linebacker and be the green dot defender in charge of the defense's alignment pre-snap. As we detailed throughout the offseason, Coney ended the 2025 season with an elite overall PFF grade of 87.6, officially the second-highest grade among SEC linebackers going into the 2026 campaign. Led by his notable 87.6 run defense grade, Coney's 6'2", 240-plus-pound frame should immediately improve A&M's porous run defense, as nearly every Aggie linebacker is at least 6'0" or taller. Also, two Arkansas linebackers made the top PFF rankings and were coached by current Texas A&M LB coach Travis Williams.
Highest Graded Returning SEC Linebackers🔥 Save 33% on PFF+ Subscription: https://t.co/vJG8Wx1x4Ipic.twitter.com/Zbc290atzm — PFF College (@PFF_College) August 14, 2026
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M transfer is PFF's second highest ranked SEC linebacker