Texas A&M's 2025 defensive line wasn't just led by unanimous All-American Edge Cashius Howell's 11.5 sacks and 41 pressures, but by a collective team effort that includes defensive tackles Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim, and veteran transfer defensive end Dayon Hayes, who contributed 4.5 sacks during his final collegiate season.
After Howell, Regis, and Onyedim were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, third-year coach Mike Elko and his staff hit the transfer portal hard, landing key commitments from former Northwestern Edge Anto Saka, defensive tackle CJ Mims (North Carolina), Edge Ryan Henderson (San Diego State), and former Illinois DT Angelo McCullom, who are all expected to make an immediate impact this fall.
However, after landing Anto Saka,
who is a popular NFL Draft prospect, rising sophomore Edge Marco Jones, who is slated to be coach Mike Elko's starting Jack this season, is coming off a strong preseason and is one of the more physically imposing defenders on the roster after adding more muscle to his frame.
Outside of the Aggie sphere of fans, alumni, and media members, Marco Jones is not widely known, but is on the cusp of exploding in 2026 and, according to ESPN, is considered a "sleeper" ahead of his second season and first as a starter after recording 21 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss last season.
"After Cashius Howell turned out to be an excellent sleeper pick in 2025, I'm going back to the defensive line for the next selection from the Aggies. Jones tied for fifth on the team in sacks despite a somewhat limited role, which should increase with Howell and others moving on. A talented baseball player, Jones played both sports for Texas A&M in 2025 before choosing to focus solely on football. He has added some weight and has ideal size for an edge rusher."
Mike Elko recently praised Jones as "extremely athletic" with a "tremendous ability" to rush the passer, and combined with Anto Saka and senior defensive end T.J. Searcy, Texas A&M's 2026 pass rushers should be one of the more consistent units in the SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN names Texas A&M sophomore Edge a 'sleeper' break out candidate
