Mike Elko is 'excited' about transfer Ryan Henderson's emergence
· Yahoo Sports
Texas A&M's 2026 pass rush wasn't very effective in the season-opening 50-0 shutout win over Missouri State, but that is expected to change going forward, starting with Saturday afternoon's critical showdown vs. Arizona State. However, San Diego State transfer Edge Ryan Henderson recorded the one and only sack of the night and looks like a potential breakout star this fall.
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Compared to Northwestern transfer Edge Anto Saka, Henderson has not received the attention he deserves, but after Saturday's performance, it's fully expected that the senior pass rusher is on track to become a key part of coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill's pass rush plan.
During his final season at San Diego State, Henderson recorded an impressive 8 sacks and 31 pressures, and at 6'3' and nearly 260 pounds, lining up at multiple positions isn't an issue; with senior linebacker Daymion Sanford expected to make his 2026 debut against Arizona State, Elko and Hemphill will have their full arsenal of pass rushers to cause consistent problems in the backfield.
During Wednesday's Aggie Football Hour, Mike Elko heaped praise on Ryan Henderson, who, despite playing a total of four snaps on Saturday, recorded a sack, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble, which should result in more playing time.
"I don't know that I've ever seen (Ryan Henderson's) stat line. It was four plays, one sack, one fumble caused and one fourth-down TFL. To get all of that accomplished in four snaps is really, really impressive. He's a kid we're excited about."
Henderson's emergence is further proof that Texas A&M's defensive line is one of the deeper rotations in the SEC, but it's too early to predict which player will rise as the team's top pass rusher. After allowing 67 total yards against Arizona State, A&M's defense looks extremely formidable.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Mike Elko is 'excited' about transfer Ryan Henderson's emergence