Texas A&M's defense is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with in 2026, and sophomore edge rusher Marco Jones is leading the charge. The Aggies have reloaded their defensive line through the transfer portal, adding Northwestern edge Anto Saka, along with defensive tackles CJ Sims (North Carolina) and Angelo McCullum (Illinois). These newcomers will help shore up the run defense following the departure of senior DL Albert Regis, who was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The loss of unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round leaves big shoes to fill, but Jones is ready to step up. A former four-star blue-chip prospect from California, the 6'5" sophomore is one of the most intriguing athletes on the roster. With his natural pass-rush moves and versatility, he's already drawing comparisons to a future first-round pick. Last season, Jones appeared in eight games, recording 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while thriving in the hybrid Jack position—a linebacker/defensive end role in coach Mike Elko's scheme that allows him to exploit weaker blockers.
"We're going to be a good problem this year," Jones said in a recent interview with TexAgs. "As long as we do everything we need to do, keep putting our head down, and keep grinding."
The Aggies' defense showed encouraging signs during the Maroon & White Game, where the entire unit—including several freshmen—played with physicality and looked noticeably bigger after a productive spring under strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt. That momentum is expected to carry into the summer as the team continues to build chemistry and depth.
With Jones leading the charge and a revamped defensive line, Texas A&M's defense is poised to cause headaches for opposing offenses all season long.