Elijah Robinson shares Texas A&M's approach to transfer portal

The transfer portal is now a huge part of college football, and different programs utilize it in a number of ways. But how do the Texas A&M Aggies use the transfer portal to their advantage? According to the defensive line coach, Elijah Robinson, in the way that is best suited for Aggie football going forward.

“I think each program is different. We’re going to look at what’s the best fit for our team, (and) who can help our team be successful,” said Robinson. That doesn’t mean we’re going to go more high school. We’re going to see what fits for us; What is the best thing for us to do as far as building the best team to put on the field.”

This offseason Robinson and the Aggies lost a few quality pieces from their defensive line to the transfer portal. Among the defensive line players who transferred out of College Station were EDGE’s Donnell Harris, Anthony Lucas, Marcus Burris, and interior defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy to name a few. Texas A&M didn’t fare as well when it came to incoming talent from the transfer portal, especially on the defensive line. But as Robinson highlighted, if they can use the portal to their advantage in the future, the Aggies will not hesitate to do so.

Jimbo Fisher on down 2022: You could be on top or bottom that fast

That disparity in entering and exiting players via the transfer portal might have something to do with how Texas A&M finished last season, 5-7. Their struggles in 2022 led to many questions that head coach Jimbo Fisher had to answer throughout the offseason and is still answering as the Aggies prepare for their 2023 campaign.

At the 2023 SEC Football Media Days Kickoff, Fisher had a sit-down interview with none other than ESPN’s SEC aficionado Paul Finebaum. And during the two’s conversation, the Texas A&M headman addressed his program’s shortcomings last season and provided some perspective on it in comparison to some of his more successful years at other stops.

“Critical people got hurt too. We had injuries and things that happened. And I knew the critical things that could make us vulnerable,” said Fisher. “At the end of the day, Paul, whether you win 11 games; I’ve been in this league where we won 11, 12 games, we win three of them in two-minute offense that year. And you won five games by one score. Well, last year, we lost five games by one score.

“The inches you fight for, whether you’re on top or on the bottom, they can go that quick. And what you do is understand why your doing it. Get back to fighting for the inches, get a great attitude within the concept of your team, which we have right now, and play. You could be on top or bottom in this league or any league in college football that fast.”