As we gear up for the 2026 football season, Aggies Wire is breaking down nearly every player on the Texas A&M roster. Throughout the preseason, each profile will highlight a player’s background, recruiting rankings out of high school, and projected role under head coach Mike Elko.
Texas A&M’s run defense left plenty to be desired at times last season, and just as Elko prioritized adding length and speed to the secondary, he approached the linebacker room with the same level of intentionality. One of the young defenders who flashed real upside was sophomore Noah Mikhail, a former top‑150 national recruit and top‑10 linebacker in his class. Even before arriving in College Station, Mikhail possessed the size and physicality to avoid getting washed
out at the SEC level, giving the staff confidence he could contribute early.
That projection proved accurate. Mikhail appeared in all 13 games in a reserve and special teams role, finishing with 16 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. The numbers aren’t eye‑popping, but the experience mattered, and as the season progressed, he earned increased opportunities by gaining the staff’s trust. After a strong offseason and spring, Mikhail enters 2026 as one of the more intriguing breakout candidates in the linebacker room.
Preseason Player Profile
- Hometown: La Verne, California
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 223 lbs.
- Class in 2026: Sophomore
Recruiting Rankings (Class of 2025)
- National: No. 128 (247Sports Composite)
- Position: No. 8 (247Sports Composite)
- California: No. 11 (247Sports Composite)
The former four‑star prospect was a 2024 Navy All‑American and Polynesian Bowl selection, adding to a decorated résumé that includes three MaxPreps All‑America honors, two All‑CIF selections, and two CIF League Defensive MVP awards. A dominant two‑way performer, he piled up 446 career tackles, 54.0 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, five interceptions, and contributed more than 2,000 all‑purpose yards with 29 touchdowns. He earned the Palomares League Outstanding Senior Award and was a four‑time varsity scholar athlete, underscoring his impact on and off the field.
Depth Chart Outlook
Linebacker might be one of the most intriguing positions on the roster this season. It’s full of question marks, especially surrounding Daymion Sanford, who suffered a lower‑body injury during the Maroon & White Spring Game and is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2026 campaign. With Sanford sidelined, Mikhail, who flashed in limited action last year, moves from likely LB3 into a legitimate contender for the starting spot next to Ray Coney. His size, athleticism, and late‑season growth make him one of the more intriguing breakout candidates heading into fall camp.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Previewing the 2026 season for Texas A&M linebacker Noah Mikhail
