Tony Catalina, Austin American-Statesman
 |  Hearst – Austin Transition

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At SEC media days, Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning on Texas football

Steve Sarkisian says Arch Manning has been true to himself and has earned the right “to be a bit more vocal.”

The 2025 football season has yet to begin but that hasn’t stopped some from thinking about the 2026 NFL Draft. 

ESPN draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid compiled their own top-five prospects at every position. In total, 30 SEC players were selected with only one Texas A&M football player making the top five. One Aggie was listed as an honorable mention.

Aggies second-year head coach Mike Elk has often emphasized the importance of finding NFL talent to build his program. He might just have some on his current roster after watching a trio of 2024 defensive players become NFL draft picks.

Here is who made the top prospects list:

MORE: SEC media days: 3 questions for Texas A&M football, Mike Elko

Top 2026 NFL draft prospects from Texas A&MAr’maj Reed-Adams

Ar’maj Reed-Adams is the only Aggie selected in the exercise and is regarded as a top-three offensive guard prospect by both analysts. According to Miller, Adams is the No. 2 guard behind Missouri’s Cayden Green. Reid lists Adams as No. 3 behind Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Green.

Reed-Adams is beginning his second season with the Aggies after starting his career with the Kansas Jayhawks. The North Texas native was named a captain this offseason after starting every game at right guard last season for an A&M offense that ranked 26th nationally and second in the SEC with 195.5 rushing yards per game.

He has a chance to be the fourth Aggies offensive lineman drafted since 2021 and could be the second first-round pick at the position since Kenyon Green went 15th overall to the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Cashius Howell (player to watch)

Although he wasn’t selected in the top five by either analyst, A&M pass rusher Cashius Howell was highlighted as a player to watch.

“It’s Howell’s turn to lead the Aggies’ defensive front. He provided a glimpse of his potential in his only start last season, with five tackles, a sack and an interception in the Las Vegas Bowl,” Reid said of Howell. “Continuing that production would put Howell among the top players in another loaded group of edge rushers.”

Howell finished 2024 with the Aggies’ highest pass-rush grade (87.5) and finished with one fewer sack (three) than second-round draft pick Nic Scourton despite having 185 pass-rushing snaps compared to Scourton’s team-leading 318.

If his trajectory in his second season with A&M keeps improving, Howell has a chance to be the fifth defensive lineman drafted from the program since 2023.

Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at anthony.catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.