According to a source with knowledge of Big 12 conference conversations, Texas A&M could depart the Big 12 as early as this week.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source told the Associated Press that all signs point toward an exit.

“No major surprises,” the source said. “A&M didn’t say they were leaving, but certainly gave every indication that’s what they plan on doing.”

The source also said A&M could forfeit more than $20 million if it departs.

A&M officials were less specific about the situation.

“In terms of progress, the Big 12 does not have to ‘release’ Texas A&M,” said Jason Cook, vice president for marketing and communications. “We would have to formally withdraw from the conference. Such action has not occurred at this time..”

Cook added that specific dates or timelines are “pure rumor and speculation” at this point.

On Thursday, A&M President R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to the Big 12 formally requesting withdrawal procedures, should A&M decide to leave the conference.

“As I have indicated previously, we are working very deliberately to act in the best long-term interests of both Texas A&M and the State of Texas,” Loftin said in the Aug. 25 letter. “This truly is a 100-year decision. While we understand the desire of all parties to quickly reach a resolution, these are extremely complex issues that we are addressing methodically.”

Cook said the University has not yet received a response from the Big 12.

Matthew Fitzhenry, a senior at A&M, said he was in favor of the move to the SEC.

“I think it’s a great move for Texas A&M and our athletic department, just because it will give us much more exposure than we’re used to having in the Big 12,” Fitzhenry said. “The Big 12 is a very unstable conference right now, mostly because of the actions of [UT Athletic Director] DeLoss Dodds and his cronies up there in Austin, but that’s a different story. The biggest positive I see coming out of this is the jump in recruiting that we’ll get.”

If A&M leaves the Big 12, it will be the third school in two years to exit the conference, following Colorado and Nebraska.

“The Big 12 went through a major upheaval last year,” Loftin told media. “We’ve gone through another one more recently. You can judge for yourself if that’s stability.”