Horton brings SEC-tested experience and a 6’4″ frame, giving Texas A&M a premier contested-catch weapon for quarterback Marcel Reed. Elko highlighted Horton’s background at both Miami and Alabama, noting the transfer adds height, physicality, and a fresh skill set to a room that needed a reliable red-zone target after Concepcion’s exit. Horton’s six red-zone appearances with Alabama—paired with a best game against Auburn (five catches, 35 yards, three touchdowns)—underscore his fit as a big-play option in tight coverage.
On the offensive line, Elko praised Wilkin Formby as an elite right tackle with the size and demeanor to anchor the unit in a notably depleted group after the draft. At 6’7”, 302 pounds, Formby has logged substantial playing time (27 games, 1,070 snaps) and is expected to provide needed protection as the Aggies navigate the loss of five linemen to the NFL and eligibility gaps.
Elko has acknowledged roster turnover as a defining challenge after an 11-win season and a playoff berth. He attributed late-season struggles to inconsistencies across the roster, including quarterback Marcel Reed’s drop-off in critical moments against Texas and Miami, where Reed failed to throw a touchdown with two interceptions. Still, Elko maintained that the team’s high points demonstrated potential, and the new additions aim to stabilize the program’s performance heading into the 2026 season.
With 13 players invited to the NFL combine and significant depth to replace, Elko’s recruitment strategy centers on reinforcing key positions via experienced transfers while maintaining competitive depth across the roster. The Aggies’ spring game will serve as an early barometer for how Horton, Formby, and the rest of the new additions integrate with a program intent on sustaining national contention.
