TRANSFER HAUL: Texas A&M Lands Oklahoma State Duo Edwards and Wark to Bolster Roster Depth

Texas A&M officially closed a major one‑two punch in its offseason roster reshaping this morning, announcing the addition of Oklahoma State’s dynamic duo—veteran guard Zach Edwards and versatile forward Marcus Wark—via the NCAA transfer portal. The move instantly bolsters the Aggies’ rotation with proven Division I production, experienced leadership, and positional flexibility, setting the stage for what head coach Buzz Williams hopes will be a deeper, more battle-ready squad.
Edwards, a 6‑point guard with a quick first step and perimeter scoring flair, arrives with three years of power-conference experience, including two seasons at Oregon before transferring to OSU last year. He posted career-highs in points (13.9 ppg), assists (4.6 apg), and three-point percentage (39.2 %) during a season that saw the Cowboys improve steadily in Big 12 play. Wark, standing 6‑9 with a developing perimeter jumper and strong defensive instinct, brings a complete skill set with averages of 9.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and nearly two blocks per game. Together, the pair bring polished talent, competitive toughness, and senior maturity to a team hungry for postseason breakout.
“This is a game‑changers type of acquisition for our program,” coach Williams said in a statement. “Getting guys like Zach and Marcus, who have been battle tested in two of the toughest conferences in America, adds a lot of value—not just on the court, but in the locker room and at practice. They’ve done the work, they’ve seen it, and they’ll help bring that daily standard and accountability.”
For a Texas A&M program that relied heavily on backcourt production from sophomores and freshmen last year, Edwards offers an immediate upgrade. He’s a polished, two‑way guard capable of initiating offense or playing off the ball, and his efficiency from beyond the arc makes him a serious perimeter threat. In 29 Big 12 games last season, he connected on 37 % of his threes while averaging just under 2.8 attempts per game—enough to stretch defenses and open driving lanes for teammates.
He also proved to be a reliable playmaker. He ranked among OSU’s top assist creators, and his ability to break the press and step into the flow of offensive sets will help stabilize an Aggies backcourt that sometimes struggled to maintain rhythm through Valley transitions and against high-level opponents. His command over late‑game situations—anchored by steady hands and basketball IQ—is a welcomed upgrade after Texas A&M lost several close contests last year.
Off the court, Edwards comes with an obvious maturity—the hallmark of a fifth-year player who’s rubbed shoulders with elite talent in the Pac‑12 and Big 12. His leadership is already evident, as he’s expected to take on a mentoring role for younger guards while helping foster a more competitive, veteran mindset.
“I love the way he sees the game, how he operates in the pick‑and‑roll, how he spaces the floor off ball—he’s done every element of guard play at a high level,” Williams added. “Zach’s the kind of player who will help raise the performance of everyone else.”
Wark brings a dynamic, position‑fluid skill set that aligns perfectly with modern basketball’s positionless tendencies. As a tough, 6‑9 wing who can defend multiple slots and knock down perimeter jumpers, he projects as a long-term mismatch challenge for offenses. Last season, he swatted nearly two shots per game, showcasing improved rim protection for a Cowboys squad that used him strategically as an anchor on the interior.
What makes Wark especially valuable is his transition to a more diversified offensive role. Though his low-post game remains strong, he added a respectable mid-range and three-point shot last season—shooting over 36 % from three on under four attempts per game. That makes him a credible threat both stretching the floor and attacking closeouts, ideal for Texas A&M troops looking to run more spacing-built sets.
His rebounding and toughness also add to the Aggies’ physical spine. He averaged over six rebounds per game, consistently securing defensive boards and helping catalyze transition opportunities. Plus, he’s considered a blue-collar glue guy—someone who cares about the little things like boxouts, charges taken, loose balls, and setting screens—all of which matter in close Big 12 games.
Coach Williams said, “Marcus is the kind of guy our staff looks for—he’ll defend, rebound, he’ll block shots, stretch the floor, and he’ll coach us just by the way he plays. He’s got that hard-edge spirit that’s contagious.”
The arrival of Edwards and Wark addresses key roster needs while also providing clear paths to playing time. In an Aggies rotation that lost their starting point guard to graduation and saw diminishing depth at wing and forward spots, the pair step into high-impact roles that feel tailor made—Edwards to anchor the backcourt and Wark to round out the frontcourt.
While the Aggies have reloaded with three top‑100 freshmen, there’s no substitute for college experience, and the coaching staff has emphasized that Edwards and Wark can bridge the gap between youth and competitive readiness. Their presence is expected to significantly improve Texas A&M’s ability to close games, communicate rotations, and execute on both ends—especially in late‑season conference slogging and potential NCAA Tournament battles.
Notably, Edwards and Wark already share on‑court familiarity from last season in Lubbock Big 12 matchups and numerous league encounters. That history helps accelerate chemistry as the Aggies look to install their systems during summer workouts and preseason scrimmages.
“I remember guarding both of them a number of times,” Williams commented, “and knowing their game, their approach, what they do with the ball, how they come off screens—it helps our staff because we won’t need to re-teach them simple program details. Instead, we can deepen their integration on day one.”
- Backcourt stability and shot-generation: Edwards projects to start immediately. At least 28 minutes nightly of veteran guard play softens last season’s inconsistency. Texas A&M previously relied on three‑man guard rotations and youth-driven lineups; now it gets seasoned decision-making and kill-shot shooting.
- Stretching the floor and modern spacing: Wark’s 36 % accuracy from deep adds a key spacing weapon that complements the Aggies’ core big trio. Opponents can’t just grip-and-grin post-heavy wins.
- Defensive identity and physicality: Between Wark’s rim protection and Edwards’ on-ball tenacity, Texas A&M gains defensive flexibility—physical presence on the wing and vertical presence in the paint.
- Leadership and program culture: With 5 years of college basketball in their pocket, Edwards and Wark bring intangible value. They’re expected to set work ethic standards in practice and help younger guys navigate game-day pressure and course load balance.
- NCAA Tournament positioning: NCAA tourney selection committees care about strength of schedule and late-season wins. Having proven transfers with experience in rugged power leagues boosts the Aggies’ metrics going forward.
Shortly after the official signing announcement, both transfers spoke via videoconference to Texas A&M media and Aggie-connected reporters.
Edwards said: “It’s a place with a proud tradition, passionate fans, and a staff that wants to win the toughest tournament nights. That fits me. I’m here to help this program win and grow, and I think the backcourt deserves a steady floor general who can hit the big shot. I’m ready for that.”
Wark added: “I’ve seen enough Big 12, I know what it takes. When coach spoke to me, I felt how serious things are in Aggieland. I’m all-in on helping this team defend, rebound, and make shots. I’m going to work as hard as I can to earn minutes and help my teammates get better.”
Texas A&M’s immediate focus turns to summer workouts, where bowl-season timing and transfer integration collide. Edwards and Wark won’t be with the team on arrival day, but Buzz Williams assured local media that both have a firm plan to participate in strength and conditioning sessions this summer and will be available for late-July on‑court workouts.
“We’ve mapped out a welcome plan,” Williams said. “They’ll be back on campus by June 30, with two weeks of conditioning before skill‑work starts in earnest. We’ll mix them in with our veterans and incoming freshmen right away—build chemistry, build aggressive habits, build our identity.”
Fans can expect to see Edwards and Wark on the court in team practices by July’s end, with exhibition games set for October. Texas A&M will use that time to run offensive sets, defensive reads, and press-break drills that showcase how Edwards’ shot-creation fits with Wark’s spacing and coastal range.
The Edwards-Wark announcements cap off a charged offseason for Texas A&M. The Aggies also brought in a top-50 transfer in center Antoine Davis (Fresno State), reloaded the freshman class with ranked prospects, and retained several core returners in junior guard Dylan Rudolph, forward Tyreek Smith, and big man Roddy Gayle Jr. All signs point to a Big 12 campaign more polished, deeper, and ready to win.
Buzz Williams enters his fourth season with pressure to elevate–the program finished just on the NCAA Tournament bubble last March. The addition of Edwards, Wark, and Davis is designed to give him greater flexibility to mix and match lineups, hammer tempo on offense, and hold serve defensively without needing nightly miracles from underclassmen.
“My goal is to give our team more balance and consistency—on both ends,” Williams explained. “You don’t win the Big 12 unless you can match up, you can stretch, you can defend, you can shoot. This offseason moves us in all those directions.”
What does this mean for Texas A&M basketball?
First, the transfer market is reshaping college ball faster than ever, and programs that land proven talent stand to gain early. The Aggies, by acquiring two top performers from a Power Five rival in the same weekend, signal their intent to be serious contenders—not just in Austin or College Station, but nationally.
Second, it’s a statement about culture. The message to recruits and returning players is clear: if you’re with the program, you’ll be supported with quality veteran pieces; if you want to come here as a transfer, we’re serious about evaluating skill and fit aggressively. Combined with a strong freshman haul and development track, Texas A&M is weaving a roster blueprint around skill, size, and status.
Third, tournament chances. With veteran talent at guard, stretch on the wing, rim protection, and physicality, Texas A&M hopes to avoid late-season collapses and bounce-back loss streaks. Previous title runs from Big 12 schools lacked major experienced pickups—that’s now not the case for the Aggies.
Last, the fan base impact. Between Edwards’ shooting highlights and Wark’s highlight blocks and physical hustle, there will be high-tempo showtime moments for fans. College basketball thrives on moments—Edwards’ buzzer-beater, Wark’s alley-oop, or defensive heat check—and this duo brings a pipeline for excitement and consistency.
Texas A&M’s haul of Zach Edwards and Marcus Wark from Oklahoma State turns into a signature swing in Buzz Williams’ offseason strategy. These are not just nice add-ons—they’re impact pieces with proven track records in conference play, game intelligence, and positional traits critical to modern success. Their arrivals plug holes, deepen rotations, and set a tone of competitiveness and expectation that could define the program’s upcoming season.
Aggie fans can now look ahead to August press conferences, October scrimmages, and Big 12 tip-off nights with elevated optimism. With two high-impact transfers anchored by Edwards and Wark, Texas A&M isn’t waiting to build for the future—they are constructing it starting now.