ESPN names Texas A&M's 'key returning player' before the 2026 season
Texas A&M's 2026 roster now features 17 transfer portal additions to make up for the over 20-plus players who have departed the program, including 13 headed to the NFL scouting combine this week. Among the players returning, starting quarterback Marcel Reed and star wide receiver Mario Craver lead the list, while cornerback Dezz Ricks will lead a revamped cornerback room after his breakout season.
A former five-star prospect, Dezz Ricks transferred from Alabama before the 2024 season with a clear focus on improving in coverage and living up to his elite recruiting status. However, it took a year for the Aggie fan base to trust Ricks, who struggled during his first season in College Station, allowing 500-plus yards and three touchdowns, and became one of the more targeted corners in the SEC.
After an impressive offseason, receiving substantial praise from the Aggies' coaching staff, Ricks rose up the depth chart and earned the No. 2 outside starting cornerback job opposite senior Will Lee III . Per Pro Football Focus , Ricks' numbers in coverage slightly improved, allowing 30 receptions off 68 targets (44%) for 420 yards and two touchdowns.
Credited with 29 tackles and 9 pass deflections, it's important to note that cornerback is a thankless position, and one of the toughest jobs at any level of football, so earning a solid 63.5 coverage grade is a solid step in the right direction heading into Ricks' final season with the Aggies.
On Tuesday, ESPN writer Max Olson released his list of the "key" college football players returning for each preseason top 25 team, including Texas A&M at No. 10. While several players, especially Marcel Reed, Mario Craver, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe, could have easily been the selection, Olson chose Dezz Ricks as the starter to watch next fall.
"The Aggies were able to re-sign a bunch of key starters on offense following their first CFP appearance, including quarterback Marcel Reed, running back Rueben Owens II, wide receiver Mario Craver and center Mark Nabou Jr. They had a lot of work to do on defense in reloading via the portal, so getting Ricks locked in for another year was a big deal. The former Alabama transfer is entering his third season as a starter and allowed catches on just 40% of targets last year with nine pass breakups and two TDs allowed, per ESPN Research."
Texas A&M's 2026 secondary is loaded at corner and safety, as Ricks will lead a group that now includes Tennessee transfer CB Rickey Gibson and five-star freshman Brandon Arrington.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN names CB Dezz Ricks as Texas A&M's 'key returning player'
