You’ve seen the 12th Man. You know the roar of Kyle Field. But honestly, there’s a weird disconnect when those players trade the maroon and white for NFL jerseys. People tend to think Texas A&M is just a "defensive line factory" because of guys like Myles Garrett, but if you actually look at the roster of Aggies in the NFL right now, it’s a lot more chaotic and varied than that.
It's 2026. The league looks different.
The narrative that A&M only produces pass rushers is kinda dying out, mostly because the guys catching and running with the ball are finally starting to steal the headlines. We’re talking about a massive footprint. As of this January, there are over 30 active Aggies on NFL rosters. That's not just a "good" showing; it's a takeover.
The Stars Everyone Already Knows (And Why They’re Still Here)
Let's get the obvious out of the way. Myles Garrett is still the gold standard. He’s in year nine with the Cleveland Browns, and the guy is basically a walking cheat code. In 2024, he was a first-team All-Pro for the fourth time. He’s still hitting that 14-sack floor like it's easy. It’s not.
Then you’ve got Mike Evans. Honestly, what Mike is doing in Tampa Bay should be illegal. He’s been chasing Jerry Rice’s record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and he’s still the primary vertical threat for the Bucs even as he hits his 12th season. People keep waiting for him to slow down. He just doesn't.
But it’s not just the "old" guard.
De'Von Achane has completely changed how people view Aggie skill players. Last year, he was the receiving yards leader among all NFL running backs. Think about that. A guy from a school known for "Wrecking Crew" defense is now the most dangerous dual-threat weapon in the Miami Dolphins’ track-meet offense. He’s basically redefined the archetype for A&M backs in the pros.
Aggies in the NFL: The New 2026 Reality
If you’re looking at the current depth charts for the 2025-2026 season, the youth movement is real. The 2025 draft class brought some serious heat.
Nic Scourton is a name you’re going to hear a lot. He went to the Carolina Panthers in the second round (51st overall) and immediately started making noise. He led A&M with 14 tackles for loss in his final college season, and that transition to the Panthers' 3-4 scheme has been surprisingly smooth.
The Chicago Bears also grabbed Shemar Turner late in the second round (62nd pick). Seeing him and Scourton go back-to-back in the second round was a huge win for Mike Elko’s developmental reputation.
Recent Impact Players in the Pros
- Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Green Bay Packers): He had a monster rookie year, making the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Even with a nagging hamstring, he racked up 87 tackles. He’s the future of that Packers defense.
- Nnamdi Madubuike (DT, Baltimore Ravens): Formerly Justin Madubuike, he’s become a Pro Bowl regular. He’s one of the highest-paid interior defenders for a reason.
- Christian Kirk (WR, Houston Texans): After a stint in Jacksonville, Kirk is back in Texas. A broken collarbone slowed him down recently, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best "big" slot receivers in the game.
- Braden Mann (P, Philadelphia Eagles): Yes, even the punters are winning. He got himself a Super Bowl ring recently.
The "Emmitt Smith" Connection Nobody Expected
Here is something wild. EJ Smith, the son of the legendary Emmitt Smith, finished his college career in College Station. He just declared for the 2026 NFL Draft this January.
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While he was a rotational piece and a special teams ace for the Aggies, the NFL scouts are salivating over his pedigree and his 4.7 yards-per-carry average. There is heavy rumor-milling that the Dallas Cowboys might take a flyer on him just to bring the Smith name back to Arlington. It’s one of those "full circle" stories that makes the Aggies in the NFL narrative so much fun to follow.
Why the "Draft Bust" Narrative is Factually Dead
For a while, critics loved to point at high-round A&M picks that didn't pan out. Kenyon Green had a rough start with the Houston Texans due to some brutal injuries. People were quick to judge.
But look at the turnaround.
Jake Matthews has been the literal definition of "set it and forget it" for the Atlanta Falcons since 2014. Erik McCoy is a top-tier center for the Saints. Dan Moore Jr. is protecting the blind side in Pittsburgh. The reality is that Texas A&M has quietly become an Offensive Line powerhouse, not just a defensive one. If you're an NFL GM, you're looking at College Station for guys who can handle the trench warfare of the SEC, because that translates to Sunday's faster than almost anything else.
What’s Next for Aggies Heading to the League?
The 2026 Draft cycle is already looking insane for A&M.
KC Concepcion and Cashius Howell are both being mocked as first-rounders by experts like Dane Brugler. Concepcion is a twitchy wide receiver who is exactly what the modern NFL wants—speed, yards after catch, and versatility. Howell is that classic A&M edge rusher that teams will mortgage their future to get.
Honestly, the sheer volume of talent leaving College Station right now is at an all-time high.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Track the Underclassmen: Keep an eye on the 105-player roster limit changes coming to the SEC. It’s forcing more guys to declare early, meaning the "rookie" wave of Aggies will stay high through 2027.
- Watch the Texans/Cowboys: Both Texas NFL teams have shown a massive preference for local products lately. With EJ Smith and Christian Kirk in the mix, the "Pro-Aggie" fanbases in Houston and Dallas are merging.
- Fantasy Football Tip: Don't sleep on Jahdae Walker. He’s in Chicago now with Caleb Williams. He’s a "UDFA" (undrafted free agent) success story in the making, and those are the guys who win you deep leagues.
The 12th Man doesn't stop once the college season ends. It just relocates to stadiums like Lambeau, SoFi, and Jerry World. Whether it's Von Miller winding down a Hall of Fame career in Buffalo or Antonio Johnson carving out a spot in the Jags' secondary, the maroon print is everywhere.
If you want to keep up with the latest roster moves, checking the active transactions for the "NFL Aggies" is a full-time job. But hey, seeing your guys succeed at the highest level? That's basically the whole point of being an Aggie.
To see the exact current roster of every former Texas A&M player in the league, you should monitor the weekly NFL Transaction Wire and the official 12thMan.com pro-report, as practice squad elevations happen almost daily during the playoff hunt.