Mike Elko’s Texas A&M witnessed its College Football Playoff run come to a disappointing end with the 10-3 loss to Miami. The loss ultimately forced the Aggies to end their season with an 11-2 record, including a 7-1 mark in the Southeastern Conference.
However, Elko’s program still finished the season in the top 10 in the final Associated Press poll, released on Jan. 20, at No. 8. The Aggies will kick off the 2026 season at home against Missouri State on Sept. 5.
Insider Says Texas A&M Prospects Eye NFL Futures During Shrine Bowl Meetings
Of the more than a dozen Texas A&M players declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, five received invitations to the annual East-West Shrine Bowl. It is one of college football’s two main postseason all-star games.
Austin American-Statesman A&M beat writer Tony Catalina reported on Sunday that a source confirmed the Dallas Cowboys met with all five Aggies at the Shrine Bowl this week. These meetings are expected to give the team valuable insights as they finalize their draft board for April.
The five Texas A&M players are defensive linemen Tyler Onyedim and Albert Regis, offensive lineman Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, linebacker Taurean York, and cornerback Tyreek Chappell. They will represent Elko’s program in the game on Tuesday, which starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.
Unlike the higher-profile Senior Bowl, the Shrine Bowl often gives lesser-known prospects a stage. Before the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 23 to March 2, this opportunity gives them a chance to prove their caliber to NFL scouts.
York, who holds a 71.8 rating in the PFSN College Football LB Impact Metric, has already stood out in Shrine Bowl practices despite a size disadvantage at 5’10”. In one of the first one-on-one drills on Friday, he dominated his game by effortlessly breaking through a block and sending his opponent to the ground.
“I have a process, and it works,” York told The Dallas Morning News after his first Shrine Bowl practice. “So I’m going to continue to stick with it. Knowing what all 22 guys on the field are going to be doing, not just the defense. I’m very aware and cognizant of who’s able to motion, what type of formations give me problems and what they like to do out of certain formations.”
Shrine Bowl coaches are selected from NFL teams that do not make the playoffs. Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells is the head coach of the West team, which includes Aggies linemen Regis and Onyedim. It will give him an up-close evaluation of their abilities.
