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Northwestern transfer Edge could be a 'terror' in Texas A&M's defense
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- Northwestern transfer Edge could be a 'terror' in Texas A&M's defense
Texas A&M's defensive line is undergoing a makeover this offseason, and while the interior D-line is looking somewhat thin after sophomore Dealyn Evans entered the transfer portal, the additions of veteran edge rushers Ryan Henderson (San Diego State) and Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka bring plenty of talent, and immense potential to a 2026 pass rush that has vastly improved, on paper, at least.
Henderson recorded seven sacks and a solid 72.9 pass rush grade (PFF), while Saka, who is viewed as one of the top transfer acquisitions thus far, recorded 12 sacks in three seasons with the Wildcats, and is considered one of the rising pass rushers, earning an elite 82.5 PFF pass rush grade during the 2025 season.
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Standing at 6'4" and over 250 pounds, Saka didn't put up the type of stats that jump off the page, but for those who scout these players for a living, including The Athletic and Fox analyst Bruce Feldman , Saka made Feldman's annual college football "Freaks list" that ranks the top athletes college football has to offer heading into every season.
A former high school sprinter, Saka's reported 36 1/2 inch vertical and 10-4 broad jump will have NFL scouts attending nearly every Texas A&M home game next season, while his early production, including 5.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss during his 2023 redshirt freshman season, led to being placed at No. 56 in Feldman's last Freaks List before the 2025 season.
One of the best-kept secrets in the Big Ten. In 2023, as a redshirt freshman, Saka made 5.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 11 games. Last season, he made All-Big Ten honorable mention selection with five TFLs and 3.5 sacks, where he also ranked 13th in the Big Ten in pass rush win percentage in 2024, according to PFF. He's added about 15 pounds since last season, and is excited to see the difference it makes for him on the field, now that he carries almost 260 pounds on his 6-4 frame. Expect him to be more of an every-down player for the Wildcats.
For those who don't feel Texas A&M has landed a "star" player from the portal, Saka is as close as it gets, and entering a defense that caters to his skill set, the Baltimore, Maryland native could be a difference maker in 2026, similar to unanimous All-American senior edge Cashius Howell's ascendance this season.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Northwestern transfer Edge Anto Nako could be a 'terror' for Texas A&M
