The Lone Star Showdown is back, and with No. 3 Texas A&M set to face the Texas Longhorns in a high-stakes Black Friday matchup, NFL scouts will have their eyes glued to every snap. Under head coach Mike Elko, Texas A&M has undergone a rapid transformation, emerging from the “B tier” of the SEC to become one of the nation’s true elite programs. Through strong recruiting, elite portal additions, and a rebuilt culture, Elko has crafted a roster loaded with future NFL talent.
The Aggies’ rise is reflected in the latest CFP rankings, where they enter the weekend slotted at No. 3, their highest in years. And with Texas also boasting Sunday-caliber talent, this year’s matchup feels like a preview of an NFL combine exhibition.
Across the board, Texas A&M features players poised to gain 2026 NFL Draft buzz throughout the draft process.
KC Concepcion Leads the Charge as a 2026 First-Round Prospect
Texas A&M struck gold in the transfer portal by landing WR KC Concepcion, and he’s been a revelation. His elite YAC skill set, lateral burst, and smooth separation have made him one of the most dangerous receivers in college football. His PFSN WR impact grade of 81.8 ranks inside the national top 20, and analysts expect those numbers to surge with a strong finish to the season.
PFSN analyst Ian Cummings even projected Concepcion as a first-round pick in his latest 7-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, sending him to the Buffalo Bills at pick 21.
Cummings wrote, “Bills fans might be salty about missing out on Lemon, but KC Concepcion is a slightly better fit for what the Bills need right now: independent separation against press and vertical speed. Concepcion clears Lemon in those areas.”
“He’s the unique undersized WR who can beat physicality with hyperactive quickness and targeted aggression. He’s a stellar separator and an explosive vertical-RAC threat.”
With Texas A&M preparing for its biggest game of the year, Concepcion’s stock could rise even further on the national stage.
Aggies Populate the Latest 7-Round Mock Draft
Cummings’ mock draft included eight Texas A&M players: an indicator of just how deep and NFL-ready this roster has become. Here’s where they landed:
- 46. Chase Bisontis, OG: New York Giants
- 46. Cashius Howell, EDGE: Carolina Panthers
- 47. Will Lee III, CB: Pittsburgh Steelers
- 61. Dametrious Crownover, OT: Philadelphia Eagles
- 83. Taurean York, LB: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 146. Trey Zuhn III, OL: Cleveland Browns
- 219. Albert Regis, DT: Las Vegas Raiders
Below are the scouting spotlights on three of A&M’s most intriguing NFL-bound talents.
Cashius Howell, EDGE
Few Aggies have broken out this season like Cashius Howell, one of college football’s most disruptive pass rushers. His 83.0 PFSN impact grade ranks 14th among all EDGE defenders.
At 6’2″, 249 pounds with sub-31″ arms, Howell isn’t the prototype for every scheme, but he’s a perfect fit in hybrid or odd-front defenses that value speed and finesse over raw power.
Cummings noted, “Howell is a mid-to-late Day 2 prospect because of an almost entirely absent power profile, but he’s a perfect fit for Ejiro Evero’s defense: an explosive, finesse-based rusher who excels at terrorizing QBs.”
Despite his size limitations, Howell’s advanced skill set keeps him balanced and dangerous:
- Elite bend and agility
- Deep pass-rush toolbox
- Explosive first step
- Smart situational awareness
A major showing against Texas’s offensive line could push his draft stock even higher.
Will Lee III, CB
One of the most fascinating long-term NFL projections on the roster is Will Lee III, who blends size, length, and physicality with the fluid movement skills of a smaller corner.
His 77.5 PFSN CB impact grade reflects a player with both polish and upside. At 6’1″ and over 190 pounds, Lee fits the mold of boundary corners that teams like the Steelers covet; no surprise, he was projected to Pittsburgh in the mock draft.
Cummings wrote, “Lee has the length, chippy physicality, and technical variation to smother WRs in press or manage stems in off-man. Lapses in discipline still show up, but his combination of short-area quickness, fluidity, and size is incredibly compelling.”
If he can limit big-play lapses, Lee has legitimate Day 2 potential.
The Rest of A&M’s NFL Pipeline Is Just as Impressive
Beyond the headliners, Texas A&M’s roster includes several more players generating early draft buzz:
- Chase Bisontis, one of the strongest interior linemen in the SEC
- Dametrious Crownover, a massive, NFL-ready tackle with upside
- Taurean York, a high-IQ linebacker and team leader
- Trey Zuhn III, a versatile lineman with the frame scouts covet
- Albert Regis, a stout interior defender with power and leverage
Elko’s program isn’t just talented, it’s balanced, deep, and filled with players who project well to the next level.
Final Thoughts: NFL Scouts Will Be Locked In
Friday’s Lone Star Showdown isn’t only a rivalry game; it’s one of the most important scouting showcases of the season.
Texas A&M has eight legitimate NFL Draft prospects, including potential first-rounders, top-50 candidates, and high-upside developmental players. With the Aggies making a push for a playoff berth and Texas looking to spoil the party, this matchup could become one of the defining moments for several future pros.
