Texas A&M's historic NFL Draft class highlights OL coach's impact

Third-year head coach Mike Elko deserves a majority of the credit for Texas A&M's historic 2026 NFL Draft performance, as a record ten players were selected in seven rounds, including star wide receiver KC Concepcion being selected 24th overall by the Cleveland Browns.

From a positional standpoint, five offensive linemen, including four starters, entered the draft after three or four years with the program, and just weeks before the event, it was rumored that former starting left guard Chase Bisontis could be selected in the first round, but instead dropped to the Arizona Cardinals with the 34th overall pick.

Just a round later, starting left tackle and one of the most reliable offensive linemen in program history, Trey Zuhn III, was picked in the third round by the Las Vegas Raiders, and will likely play center at the next level, and will now block for the No. 1-overall pick, QB Fernando Mendoza.

On Day 3, starting right tackle Dametrious Crownover finally heard his name called late in the 6th round by the New England Patriots, while starting right guard Ar'maj Reed-Adams surprisingly dropped all the way to the 7th round, and will join the Buffalo Bills after serving as the Aggies' top run blocker over the past two seasons.

If current starting center Mark Nabou had declared for the draft, it's more than likely he would have been selected, while reserve tackle Reuben Fatheree was never expected to be drafted, but will likely sign as a UDFA in the coming days.