Texas A&M's Maroon & White Game featured several newcomers from the transfer portal who showed out this spring, and continued to look the part during Saturday's final scrimmage before the summer, as former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton, Colorado transfer safety Tawfiq Byard, and Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka are just a few names that stood out on Saturday afternoon.
Due to the chaos surrounding the spring sports schedule, a rewatch of the Maroon & White Game may take some time, but at first glance, combined with AggieYell writer Carter Karels' insight, Anto Saka's role in coach Mike Elko's defense has become clearer, and looks like former unanimous All-American edge rusher Cashius Howell's replacement in 2026.
Already one of the more talked-about collegiate pass rushers around NFL scouting circles, Saka will be highly coveted due to his 6'4", 255-pound frame, and, according to college football analyst Landon Tengwall, Saka was not used correctly during his time with the Wildcats.
On Saturday, Saka earned the White team's only sacks of the game after beating transfer tackle Tyree Adams inside, while also thwarting transfer tight end Houston Thomas' chip attempt, sacking quarterback Brady Hart for a seven-yard loss. Later in the game, Saka beat the likely starting right tackle, Wilkin Formby, lined up wide, where he is naturally gifted, while also getting past Houston Thomas for a second time to sack walk-on QB Paxton Land.
Saka's size, length, and elite athleticism should consistently allow him to push the pocket with a simple bull rush, and should keep him lined up on the outside to utilize his unique skill set.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's Anto Saka show pass rush potential in Maroon & White Game