Concepcion Selected by Cleveland Browns in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft
Apr 23, 2026 | Football
PITTSBURGH – Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion was selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night.
Concepcion was the 24th overall pick in the draft, marking the second consecutive season in which the Aggies had a student-athlete chosen in the opening round and third taken in the first round over the last five years, joining Shemar Stewart (17th overall, 2025, Cincinnati Bengals) and Kenyon Green (15th overall, 2022, Houston Texans).
The Charlotte, North Carolina, product is the 15th Texas A&M draft pick to be selected by the Browns all-time and the 38th Aggie to be chosen in the first round. He also becomes Texas A&M's first wide receiver taken since Ainias Smith went in the fifth round to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. Texas A&M has now had at least one player taken at the prestigious event in 19th consecutive seasons. Additionally, Concepcion becomes the seventh NFL Draft pick under current Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko.
Concepcion cemented himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, earning the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player. A consensus First Team All-American, he also garnered First Team All-SEC recognition at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist. Concepcion delivered a historically efficient season in 2025, becoming the first player in FBS to average at least 15.0 yards per reception and 15.0 yards per punt return since 2006 while recording a minimum of 50 receptions and 25 punt returns. He led all SEC wide receivers and ranked among the nation's top 10 with 12 total touchdowns.
Concepcion showcased versatility by becoming the first Aggie in the modern era to score via reception, rush and punt return in the same season. He was one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country, finishing second in the SEC and third nationally with 456 punt return yards, averaging 18.2 yards per return with two touchdowns.
His impact extended across every phase of the offense, as he ranked fourth in the SEC with 1,450 all-purpose yards, averaging 111.5 yards per game and 15.1 yards per touch. As a receiver, he paced the conference with nine touchdown catches while hauling in 61 receptions for 919 yards.
Concepcion was the 24th overall pick in the draft, marking the second consecutive season in which the Aggies had a student-athlete chosen in the opening round and third taken in the first round over the last five years, joining Shemar Stewart (17th overall, 2025, Cincinnati Bengals) and Kenyon Green (15th overall, 2022, Houston Texans).
Adding on another Aggie!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 24, 2026
We've selected KC Concepcion with the 24th overall pick pic.twitter.com/nYzbgAUM1K
The Charlotte, North Carolina, product is the 15th Texas A&M draft pick to be selected by the Browns all-time and the 38th Aggie to be chosen in the first round. He also becomes Texas A&M's first wide receiver taken since Ainias Smith went in the fifth round to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. Texas A&M has now had at least one player taken at the prestigious event in 19th consecutive seasons. Additionally, Concepcion becomes the seventh NFL Draft pick under current Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko.
Concepcion cemented himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, earning the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player. A consensus First Team All-American, he also garnered First Team All-SEC recognition at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist. Concepcion delivered a historically efficient season in 2025, becoming the first player in FBS to average at least 15.0 yards per reception and 15.0 yards per punt return since 2006 while recording a minimum of 50 receptions and 25 punt returns. He led all SEC wide receivers and ranked among the nation's top 10 with 12 total touchdowns.
A Dawg is headed to Cleveland!
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) April 24, 2026
With the 24th pick in the 2026 #NFLDraft, the @Browns select, KC Concepcion. pic.twitter.com/FO3c42WZJ1
Concepcion showcased versatility by becoming the first Aggie in the modern era to score via reception, rush and punt return in the same season. He was one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country, finishing second in the SEC and third nationally with 456 punt return yards, averaging 18.2 yards per return with two touchdowns.
His impact extended across every phase of the offense, as he ranked fourth in the SEC with 1,450 all-purpose yards, averaging 111.5 yards per game and 15.1 yards per touch. As a receiver, he paced the conference with nine touchdown catches while hauling in 61 receptions for 919 yards.
KC lands in The Land pic.twitter.com/UVgsQU9QyJ
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) April 24, 2026
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