Texas A&M star safety is slated to return in 2026

The 2026 NFL Draft deadline has passed, and 16 Texas A&M veterans from the 2025 roster have declared, headlined by five offensive linemen, including junior left guard Chase Bisontis , who was expected to return for one more year but opted to leave after three successful starting seasons.

However, head coach Mike Elko and his staff quickly went to work in the transfer portal, landing 18 commitments, including four offensive linemen, and Alabama star wide receiver Isaiah Horton , while the Aggie secondary received a significant boost as cornerbacks Dezz Ricks and Julio Humphrey will return next season, combined with the additions of Tennessee transfer CB Rickey Gibson, and Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard.

Incoming senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe announced his return via social media early in the process after reportedly re-signing with the team. Fellow incoming senior safety Dalton Brooks , who finished with a career high of 62 tackles, four sacks, and an interception, earned an impressive 72.2 pass rush and 70.8 pass rush grades per Pro Football Focus.

While Brooks needs to improve as a run defender, his coverage skill set and elite athleticism make him an elite third-down blitz specialist, which directly led to his four sacks and 13 pressures. He is much too valuable to keep off the field on nearly every down.

Now knowing that Brooks will return, Texas A&M's safety rotation is the deepest it's been under Mike Elko, and paired with a cornerback room that is equally talented, the 2026 Aggie secondary has a chance to lead the conference in passing yards allowed.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M star safety Dalton Brooks is slated to return in 2026