Aggies WR Jalen Preston No Longer On Roster

Jalen Preston's time in College Station has come to an end. He now looks to the next chapter of his hopeful playing career. 

Preston will not play for Texas A&M in 2023, electing to opt-out and begin training for the 2024 NFL Draft. Preston was entering his sixth and final year of eligibility with the Aggies after taking the COVID-19 waiver option given to all players in 2020. 

In five seasons with A&M, Preston registered 35 receptions for 468 yards and four touchdowns. His most productive season was his junior year in 2021, when he finished with 255 yards on 17 catches and two scores. Last season, the 6-2, 210-pound target only totaled seven catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. 

Preston's playing time likely became a subject of conversation entering the new campaign under sixth-year coach Jimbo Fisher. Ainias Smith and Moose Muhammud III have been staples of the passing game for the previous two seasons and likely are to start in the slot on the perimeter. 

Sophomore standouts Noah Thomas and Evan Stewart made strides during their freshmen campaigns and could potentially provide more upside on the outside. Stewart, a five-star receiver from Liberty Frisco (TX), finished his first year with a team-high 53 catches for 648 yards and two scores. 

Thomas, a 6-4 mismatch in the red zone, recorded five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns, but continued to prosper during spring drills. Last April, he was named the spring Offensive MVP during the Maroon and White Game. 

The Aggies also have an abundance of incoming talent at the position. Freshmen Micah Tease and Raymond Cottrell both enrolled early and made headlines during the spring game. Fisher could elect to give them more reps moving forward under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. 

Preston elected not to enter the transfer portal following a 5-7 finish in 2022. This spring, he most saw reps with the second-team offense, splitting time with Cottrell and Tease on the outside. 

The news of Preston's departure was first reported the Bryan-College Station Eagle. Texas A&M opens the regular season at Kyle Field against New Mexico on Sept. 2.