Texas A&M’s Breakthrough Season Under Mike Elko Signals a New Era - But the Job’s Not Finished
Texas A&M football didn’t just turn a corner in Year 2 under Mike Elko - they kicked the door down. The Aggies put together one of the most memorable seasons in program history, snapping long-standing droughts, delivering dramatic wins, and finally punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff. But as promising as the season was, it ended with the unmistakable feeling that this team still has more to prove.
Let’s break it down.
A Historic Run with a Bittersweet Finish
This was a season Aggie fans have waited decades to see. Texas A&M rolled through the regular season with 11 wins - something they hadn’t done since 1994, back in their Southwest Conference days.
And they didn’t just win; they made it dramatic. From a record-setting comeback against South Carolina to a fourth-and-13 touchdown dagger on the road at Notre Dame, the Aggies showed resilience and a flair for the moment.
That Notre Dame win, a 41-40 thriller at the buzzer, was the kind of game that announces a program’s arrival on the national stage. And for a while, it looked like A&M was on a collision course with a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. After dismantling LSU 48-25 and steamrolling Missouri on the road, the Aggies were sitting pretty.
But then the wheels started to wobble.
A shocking 30-3 deficit to South Carolina raised eyebrows, even though A&M stormed back with 28 unanswered to win. That sluggish start bled into a deflating 27-17 loss to rival Texas.
Quarterback Marcel Reed, who had been electric all season, hit a wall - zero touchdowns and four interceptions in his final two games. And when the Aggies took the field against Miami in the first round of the CFP, they couldn’t get anything going offensively, falling 10-3 in a game that felt like a missed opportunity.
Still, the progress is undeniable. Texas A&M got to the dance. They just didn’t stick around long.
Reed and the Offense: Still Just Getting Warmed Up
Despite the late-season stumble, sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed emerged as one of the breakout stars in college football. He finished the regular season just shy of 3,000 passing yards, added 500 on the ground, and accounted for 31 total touchdowns. That kind of dual-threat production puts him squarely in the national spotlight heading into 2026.
The return of wide receiver Mario Craver is a massive boost. Craver cooled off in the second half of the season, but his early-season production was a catalyst for the Aggies’ offensive explosion - 52 catches for 825 yards in total. With KC Concepcion likely heading to the NFL, Craver becomes the go-to guy in a passing game that still has plenty of firepower.
But there are real questions up front. The offensive line is losing at least three starters, including multiple All-Americans.
That’s a major concern, especially with a quarterback like Reed who thrives when he’s protected and able to extend plays. And while new offensive coordinator Holman Wiggins is a respected name in coaching circles, this will be his first time calling plays - a significant transition after years as a standout wide receivers coach.
Still, if last offseason was any indication, Elko and his staff know how to identify and bring in elite skill talent. Expect the Aggies to stay aggressive in the portal and on the recruiting trail to keep the offense humming.
Defense Makes Strides - But Run Game Remains a Weak Spot
The Aggies took a real step forward defensively in 2025, jumping from 12th to 5th in the SEC in total defense. But when it came to stopping the run in crunch time, the unit came up short.
Texas A&M finished 13th in the SEC in yards per carry allowed, giving up over four yards per rush - a stat that proved costly in their biggest games. In the playoff loss to Miami, Mark Fletcher gashed the Aggies for 172 yards on just 17 carries. That came after Texas’ Quintrevion Wisner posted his only 100-yard game of the season against them.
The pass rush has been solid, and linebackers Taurean York and Daymion Sanford are expected back, which gives the middle of the defense some continuity. But both starting defensive tackles are out of eligibility, and that’s a tough blow for a unit that already struggled to control the line of scrimmage in key moments.
All eyes now turn to junior D.J. Hicks, who’s poised to step into a bigger role on the interior. He’ll be a key figure if the Aggies want to shore up their run defense in 2026.
On the sidelines, Lyle Hemphill takes over as defensive coordinator following Jay Bateman’s departure to Kentucky. Hemphill is a trusted lieutenant of Elko’s, which should help maintain continuity in scheme and philosophy.
The Road Ahead: A Foundation Built, But the Climb Continues
There’s no question that 2025 was a proof-of-concept year for Mike Elko and his staff. They showed they can build a roster quickly, compete at the highest level, and develop talent into All-American-caliber players. The 11-win season and College Football Playoff berth are concrete signs that the program is trending in the right direction.
But now comes the hard part: sustaining it.
The Aggies are set to bring in another top-10 recruiting class, and they’ll remain active in the transfer portal. That’s crucial, especially with holes to fill on both lines and in the coaching staff. The offensive and defensive coordinators are both new, and the schedule likely won’t be as forgiving in 2026.
Still, the momentum is real. Texas A&M has gone from a perennial underachiever to a legitimate SEC contender in just two seasons under Elko.
The next step? Turning potential into championships.
And if this past year was any indication, the Aggies are closer than they’ve been in a long, long time.