Texas A&M’s Noah Mikhail and Alabama transfer Wilkin Formby talk development after seventh preseason practice

Texas A&M’s fall camp kept moving forward Thursday with the Aggies holding what was described as their seventh preseason practice, and two of the most visible voices in the linebacker-and-offensive-line mix used the moment to discuss how the work is coming together. Sophomore linebacker Noah Mikhail and Alabama transfer offensive lineman Wilkin Formby spoke to reporters during player media availability, aiming their comments at the themes the team is emphasizing right now: development, consistency and leadership as practices get more physical and more detailed.

For Mikhail, the discussion centered on the idea of taking the progress from the offseason and translating it into performance during camp. As a sophomore, he is part of the group expected to show improvement in both execution and communication, and his remarks framed the ongoing practices as a process rather than a single “light switch” moment. With camp weeks measured in repetitions and clarity, the linebacker position places a premium on knowing what is happening in the front, trusting assignments, and getting teammates aligned quickly.

Formby’s role in the conversation was shaped by the offseason transition that comes with joining a new program. A transfer from Alabama, Formby’s presence brings experience from a high-profile program environment, and his comments were described as focused on how he is adapting to Texas A&M’s expectations as camp advances. Transfer offensive linemen often carry a dual job during fall camp: learning the scheme and terminology quickly while also earning trust through fundamentals such as leverage, hand placement and communication at the line of scrimmage.

Beyond the technical topics, the availability included a more human snapshot of camp life. The reported discussion referenced leadership and the culture of being together through multiple daily sessions, including something as simple as In-N-Out burgers mentioned as part of the day’s conversation. It is a reminder that even as practices are judged on form and execution, teams also try to create routines that help players stay connected and focused.

The overall message from both players was that Texas A&M is in a developmental phase of camp where the goal is steady improvement rather than dramatic, single-day results. In that sense, the “seventh practice” marker functions as an early checkpoint in fall camp progression, when coaches and players start testing how well installations and habits from earlier work hold up under sustained tempo.

For Aggies fans, the practical takeaway is that the middle of the roster is being organized around roles that are still being sharpened. Mikhail’s perspective ties to the linebacker group’s need for rapid understanding and reliable play in live looks, while Formby’s perspective reflects the offensive line’s need to blend technique with identity as a unit.

As fall camp continues, what to watch will be whether the themes both players emphasized show up in consistent execution: linebackers reacting cleanly and communicating early, and the offensive line offering steady protection and cohesive movement in team periods. In this kind of preseason stretch, growth is often visible in small details, and leadership is frequently measured by how quickly teammates line up the same way on repeated snaps.