Transfer Edge explains why he chose Texas A&M football
Transfer Edge Anto Saka briefly explained why he chose Texas A&M, citing HC Mike Elko's "disruptive" scheme that produced 43 sacks last season.
This offseason, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his coaching staff landed 17 commitments from the transfer portal, including Northwestern edge Anto Saka, who, among the NFL scouting community, is considered a future first-round pick despite average statistics in his final season with the Wildcats. Still, even the average football fan just has to look at Saka, who stands an imposing 6'4" and 255 pounds, built like a track star with the muscular physique that landed him on Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks List" before the 2025 season, but due to his misuse on defense, the Baltimore native only registered 13 tackles and three sacks in nine appearances. However, thanks to college football analyst Landon Tengwell's breakdown of Anto Saka's performances, it was clear that the Wildcats failed to take advantage of Saka's strength as an outside pass rusher, who can wreak havoc against tackles one-on-one with just a simple bull rush.
Why he chose the Aggies over several blue blood suitors wasn't completely clear after Texas A&M's first padded practice on Tuesday afternoon, and during his recent sit-down with TexAgs, the former four-star prospect stated that watching Mike Elko's defensive scheme last season, resulting in unanimous All-American Cashius Howell leading the country with 11. 5 sacks and 30-plus pressures, sealed the deal once he entered the portal. "I found myself watching Texas A&M highlights like, man, these dudes get off the rock, get sacks and are disruptive.
I wanted to be apart of that. " Per Pro Football Focus, Saka earned an impressive 82. 5 PFF pass rush grade during the 2025 season and recorded 12 sacks during his Northwestern career.
As Tengwell notes in his recent breakdown, Saka thrives off the edge as a power rusher, given his lower body strength and ability to consistently push the pocket with a simple bull rush. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty .