Texas A&M receiver Isaiah Horton returns to Alabama as a visitor
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Texas A&M receiver Isaiah Horton, a former Alabama player, returns to Tuscaloosa to face No. 13 Alabama Saturday.
He leads the Aggies with 280 receiving yards, and transfer-portal reunions are now routine.
Background
Isaiah Horton is a graduate-student wide receiver for Texas A&M and the Aggies' leading receiver, having transferred from Miami to Alabama before moving to Texas A&M in the 2026 offseason. He is one of three A&M players — with offensive lineman Wilkin Formby and cornerback Dezz Ricks — returning to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face their former team. The return game is framed within the transfer portal and NIL era, in which players change schools more freely and matchups against former teams have become more common; A&M's 2026 transfer class ranked No. 3 nationally, per the material.
How it unfolded
- 2025 seasonHorton played one season at Alabama after transferring from Miami, leading the team in receiving touchdowns and catching the winning score in the Iron Bowl win over Auburn.
- 2026 offseasonHorton and offensive lineman Wilkin Formby transferred from Alabama to Texas A&M.
- Sep 12, 2026Horton scored a touchdown in Texas A&M's win over Arizona State at Kyle Field; he has not scored since.
- Oct 21, 2026Reports list Horton among former Alabama players returning to Tuscaloosa with the Aggies; Roll Tide Wire notes he has 20 receptions for a team-high 280 yards and three touchdowns through seven games.
- Oct 22, 2026A report says Horton needs to improve on his Week 7 effort amid Texas A&M receiver injury issues.
- Oct 24, 2026Horton, Formby and Ricks get their first chance to play against their former team, No. 13 Alabama, in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Alabama tight end Marshall Pritchett said the return of ex-teammates isn't a major focus, calling them good teammates and players with no hard feelings.
- Support
- Texas A&M cornerback Dezz Ricks said he is a little more excited than usual for the game.
- Analysts
- Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said players returning to their home state is probably a bit more of a moment than simply facing a former team.
Still unverified
On3 reported that Horton was supposedly offered a deal worth $1 million by Texas A&M; wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman is reportedly dealing with a personal issue and is not currently expected to play against Alabama.