Texas A&M kicked off the 2026 season with a 50-0 shutout win
over Missouri State on Saturday night, and for the first time in 30 seasons, the Aggies limited the Bears to 67 total yards, including just 30 passing yards from quarterback Skyler Locklear. The Aggie defense was elite, but one of the program's stars did not play on Saturday, as senior linebacker Daymion Sanford warmed up but did not enter the game.However, even without Sanford on the field, Texas A&M's linebacker rotation was impressive, as sophomore Noah Mikhail and Ray Coney led the team with 13 combined tackles, looked physical against the run, and showed Mikhail's sideline-to-sideline athleticism in coverage. Still, Daymion Sanford's equally veteran leadership and versatility
as a pass rusher add another element to A&M's established defense.
For those who need a refresher, Sanford suffered a brutal lower-body injury during the Maroon & White Game that could have resulted in him missing more than half of the 2026 season, but after a speedy recovery and tough rehab process this summer, the Katy (TX) native made his way back to the field this preseason, looking nearly 100% healthy, especially in his lower-body explosiveness.
After the win, Mike Elkodiscussed his reasoning for keeping Daymion Sanford sidelined on Saturday, which makes perfect sense given the way the rest of the linebacker rotation performed.
"It was a combination of things… The way Coney and Mikhail have played, and I'll throw Lockhart and Watkins in there, has made us feel confident that we could wait until Daymion was really ready."
Jordan Lockhart and freshman Tamarion Watkins are two names to watch early in the season after playing extended snaps in the second half, especially Watkins, who added size this offseason, and his 6'4" frame makes him one of the most intriguing young defenders on the roster.
The expectation is that Sanford should play against Arizona State, which should be confirmed during Tuesday's weekly press conference. Freshman wide receiver Madden Williams will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M HC Mike Elko provides new update on senior linebacker
