
This week, TTFT will take a look at 10 top transfers from this offseason and how they acclimated to Texas A&M during spring practice:
1. Defensive tackle CJ Mims: The senior, who came over from North Carolina, showed up at the right weight (6-foot-2, 300 pounds) to replace Albert Regis in the lineup next to DJ Hicks. He showed solid run-stopping ability during spring ball but was also surprisingly quick for a player of his size.
Will he start?: If the season started tomorrow, yes.

2. Right tackle Wilkin Formby: Formby, who came over from Alabama in part to make sure he played tackle, was impressive this spring. He not only looks the part, but showed he’s more than capable of replacing Dametrious Crownover. It’s hard to say anyone’s a sure thing besides Mark Nabou, but he’s pretty close.
Will he start?: He probably has it on lock, barring a terrible summer or injury.
3. Wide receiver Isaiah Horton: Horton, who came over from Alabama after having the second-most touchdown receptions in the SEC last year (behind one KC Concepcion), was desired for his size (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) and the ability to make contested catches. He showed those abilities and more in the spring, even appearing to be a better deep threat than anticipated.
Will he start?: He’s your starting X receiver.
4. Cornerback Rickey Gibson: With Dezz Ricks sidelined for the spring, Gibson got plenty of work with the starters along with Julio Humphrey. Then again, that’s why he came over from Tennessee — to start. And, before he got banged up, he reminded people why he was one of the elite cover corners in the SEC two years ago.
Will he start?: Almost certainly.

5. Safety Tawfiq Byard: A&M was looking for another aggressive safety who can be a threat as a blitzer, and they hit the jackpot with Byard. He showed his ability to cause problems in the spring game, where he was frequently in the backfield coming off the edge. He hits like a linebacker, not a safety.
Will he start?: The Aggies already have Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe, so probably not. But that doesn’t mean he won’t play a whole lot, because he will.
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6. Linebacker Ray Coney: Coney was the nation’s leading solo tackler at Tulsa last year, and that’s why the Aggies wanted him to replace Taurean York. But the continued emergence of Noah Mikhail and Daymion Sanford’s excellent spring pre-injury, along with Coney’s slow acclimation to the A&M defensive scheme, had him with the backups for most of the spring. But Sanford’s injury changed the equation, and now he’s in with the first team.
Will he start?: Definitely seems like it at the moment.

7. Defensive end Anto Saka: Saka, who transferred from Northwestern, was brought in to be a pass rusher as the Aggies look to replace Cashius Howell. The two are about the same size, and Saka showed he has plenty of speed and athletic ability this spring. He’s definitely going to play a lot.
Will he start?: Depends on how Mike Elko and Lyle Hemphill want to use Saka and returning starter TJ Searcy, who is more of a run stopper.
8. Left tackle Tyree Adams: Brought over from LSU to fill the void left by Trey Zuhn, Adams did not give up a sack last season in the games he played in. He’s tall and slender, but not weak. But his spring was up and down and, with redshirt freshman Lamont Rogers improving, this competition will last into the summer.
Will he start?: Probably, but by no means certainly.
9. Left guard Coen Echols: Echols became a starter at left guard for LSU in the second half of last season, playing next to Adams. He was given a tall task in replacing Chase Bisontis, but he had to beat out Blake Ivy first. By the end of the spring, Robbie Bourdon had started to take snaps at left guard, which would seem to indicate the coaching staff wanted to give themselves more options to choose from.
Will he start?: To be determined. This is the most uncertain spot on the offensive line right now.
10. Tight end Houston Thomas: The College Station native and former UTSA standout quickly worked his way up the depth chart this spring, showing the combination of blocking ability and pass catching skills A&M was hoping he’d provide. Even with the depth at receiver, Thomas could be a big part of the passing game in the fall.
Will he start?: Sure seems like it.
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