Texas A&M's 2026 linebacker rotation now features Tulsa transfer Ray Coney, who, before recording over 120 tackles during his one and only season with the Golden Hurricanes, was an unknown product but now enters what is expected to be his final collegiate season as one of the most important players on the roster.
On Tuesday, new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill praised Coney's performance during the first five preseason practices, noting the transfer's football IQ, physicality, and athleticism in coverage, while his 6'2", 240-pound frame serves as a clear advantage as a run defender, an area he thrived in last season.
Paired with senior linebacker Daymion Sanford and rising sophomore LB Noah Mikhail, Texas A&M's linebacker room looks more like a strength than a question mark, especially knowing that, after suffering a brutal fibula injury during the spring season, Sanford is on track to play in the Aggies' season-opener vs. Missouri State.
This week, Ray Coney was named to the prestigious Butkus Award Watch List, given to the top-performing linebacker at the high school, college, and NFL level after every season.
Earning impressive grades from Pro Football Focus, including 87.6 overall and 86.9 as a run defender, Coney's 23 pressures provide Elko and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill plenty to work with on third-down looks, as he, Sanford, and Mikhail all provide upside as pass rushers.
In the hunt for the Butkus.@RayConey2 | https://t.co/7fPrdmkBMspic.twitter.com/NK3Xgljr0j
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) August 13, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M senior LB named to the Butkus Award Watch List