Texas A&M football projects to be thin at the linebacker position in 2019, making them a prime contender to land Cale Garrett, a potential transfer from Missouri.
The NCAA came down hard on Missouri, handing them a bowl ban and scholarship penalties for the 2019-2020 season. The lack of a postseason opportunity has opened the door for some of the Tigers’ top players to be poached by other SEC schools. All Missouri seniors will be free to transfer without having to sit out a season.
Texas A&M was one of several schools to pick up the phone and give Mizzou a call. Their most likely primary target would be linebacker Cale Garrett. A two-year starter, Garrett tallied 106 tackles in 2017, the fifth most of any player in the SEC. Having a rangy linebacker that can wrap up would be a plus for any defense, especially one which already has to replace Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka.
On paper, it seems like a fit for both parties. Texas A&M has Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines and a host of freshman backing them up. The Aggies added several linebackers in their 2019 signing class including RJ Orebo, Ke’Shun Brown and Christopher Russel. They each have plenty of upside, but playing meaningful minutes as a true freshman in the SEC doesn’t happen often — for good reason.
Texas A&M needs a junior college or grad transfer player who can step in and play immediately. Garrett fits the bill. The real question for him is where he wants to play his final season of collegiate eligibility. The sanctions came out of nowhere, leaving Garrett with a lot of options which came seemingly out of the blue. The Aggies hope he’ll opt to head south for one last ride.