LSU Linebacker Joins 'Tsunami' Defense: Proven Star Powers 14-20 Wins!

Texas A&M's 2026 linebacker rotation will now include Tulsa transfer Ray Coney , who is by far one of the most important additions, knowing that veteran starting middle linebacker Taurean York is headed to the NFL after three seasons as the starter, combined with senior Scooby Williams, who has spent his first two collegiate seasons in College Station. While York was highly productive over the last three seasons, his lack of size, paired with Scooby Williams' injury issues, led to a drop-off in run defense, as the defensive line's issues with gap integrity led to the linebacker rotation having to clean up at the second level, which was less successful against physical rushing attacks, helping lead to back-to-back losses against Texas and Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff. This spring, coach Mike Elko and new linebackers coach Travis Williams will welcome Coney to a rotation that will feature senior Daymion Sanford and sophomore Noah Mikhail, who are both 6'2" and over 220 pounds, while Coney, who is also 6'2", weighs north of 240 pounds, and will likely gain more muscle mass this summer after working with S&C coach Tommy Moffitt.

Earning impressive Pro Football Focus grades during his final season with the Golden Hurricanes, PFSN College recently ranked its top transfer linebackers based on the site's "Impact score," as Ray Coney earned the fifth-highest score among the five transfers listed (79. 6), brings a dose of speed, athleticsm, and elite football instincts to become a defensive leader in College Station. Top transfer linebackers for the 2026 season, per PFSN College LB Impact Score 📊 Rasheem Biles ➡️ Texas (85.

2) Amare Campbell ➡️ Tennessee (83. 2) Gideon Lampron ➡️ Colorado (82. 3) Keaton Thomas ➡️ Ole Miss (81.

4) Ray Coney ➡️ Texas A&M (79. 6) pic. twitter.