Jacoby Mathews' time in College Station is coming to a close.
According to reports, Mathews plans to enter the 15-day transfer portal window this spring beginning on April 15. Mathews will have until April 30 to land at a new program for the start of the 2024 season.
The news comes at a bit of a shock given Mathews' role in D.J. Durkin's secondary last season. In place of the injured Jardin Gilbert, the 6-2 sophomore totaled 42 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one interception and five pass breakups.
In two seasons, Mathews played in 21 games and totaled 76 tackles. He mostly was used on special teams during his freshman campaign coming out of Ponchatoula (La.) High School.
Mathews, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, was expected to start during spring under first-year coach Mike Elko. Elko, who previously spent four years under Jimbo Fisher as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator, was on staff when Mathews initially committed to the Aggies as part of their historic No. 1 recruiting class in 2022.
He is now one of five former five-star recruits, per On3 rankings, to leave A&M since the end of the 5-7 season in 2022, joining defensive lineman Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), cornerback Denver Harris (LSU and later UTSA), receiver Evan Stewart (Oregon) and defensive lineman LT Overton (Alabama).
Mathews is also the 19th scholarship player from A&M to enter the portal this offseason. The Aggies added 24 new names under Elko since his hiring in December, including several from the SEC.
A&M has options at both safety spots in place of Gilbert, Mathews and senior Demani Richardson. Even after Fisher's firing, Elko was able to convince four-star Myles Davis from Judson (Texas), and four-star Jordan Pride of Blountstown (Florida) to remain a part of the 2024 class.
The Aggies also added three safety transfers who started for other programs last season: De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt), Trey Jones (Central Michigan) and Marcus Ratcliffe (San Diego State). Cal Poly transfer Donovan Saunders also is expected to compete for reps at both nickel defender and safety.
A potential move that could open up the defense would be moving nickel defender Byrce Anderson back to the last line of defense. The Beaumont native was recruited as a safety in 2022 and moved down low in place of former All-SEC defender Antonio Johnson.
The Aggies are expected to rebuild their cornerback room with the additions of Dezz Ricks (Alabama), Jaydon Hill (Florida), Will Lee III (Kansas State), and 2024 five-star recruit Terry Bussey.
The annual Maroon and White Game will take place on April 20 at Kyle Field.
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