Texas A&M safety duo named sixth best nationally entering 2026 season

· Yahoo Sports

Entering the 2026 season, Texas A&M's defense continues to look like the newly formed roster's predominant strength, starting with a secondary that now includes Colorado transfer safety Tawfiq Byard and Tennessee transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson, who pair well with a veteran starting lineup led by senior corner Dezz Ricks, and senior safeties Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks.

The combination of Dezz Ricks and Rickey Gibson certainly deserves more national recognition based on their talent and fit in coach Mike Elko's defensive scheme, but given the importance of the safety position in how the scheme operates, especially in man coverage, Ratcliffe and Brooks are two of the most important starters on the roster.

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This offseason, both players have put in the work, adding healthy weight/muscle to their frames, while working to reach their full athletic potential in various speed drills, which was on full display, especially from Ratcliffe, during the spring season. Last season, Ratcliffe finished the year with 66 tackles and three pass deflections, while earning PFF's highest coverage grade among Power Four safeties.

Dalton Brooks was even more impressive, recording a career-high 62 tackles, four sacks, and an interception, and is widely considered one of the most versatile defenders in the country with a high NFL ceiling. On Thursday, Roc Boys Football ranked these two players the sixth-best safety duo in the country entering the 2026 season.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M star safety duo named sixth best entering the 2026 season

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