Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton didn’t have to think long when asked about Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed. The connection goes back to the Manning Passing Academy, where Reed was Stockton’s roommate and the two got to know each other beyond just being quarterbacks.
Stockton came away with one clear takeaway: Reed’s personality is every bit as big as his game.
“He’s a funny guy,” Stockton said. “He’s got a big personality, and just getting to see him off the field, on the field, everyone knows he’s a great player, but just seeing he truly is a great guy and somebody I’m rooting for.
I have a lot of respect for him, and he's easy to talk to. If I called him right now, I feel like he’d answer to talk.”
That kind of bond is part of what made both quarterbacks natural fits for SEC Media Days. Each has spent three seasons with his program, each has lived through the highs and lows, and each has built a reputation as a steady leader in the locker room. They also carry themselves with the kind of pride that comes with wearing a school’s uniform every Saturday.
The production has matched the leadership. Stockton put together a strong 2025 season with 2,894 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. Reed finished with 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The two have not faced each other yet, and their schools still haven’t met at Kyle Field. But there’s still a path for that matchup to happen later on if both teams get where they want to go and reach the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Georgia.
For now, Stockton is simply pulling for his old roommate.
“He’s a great guy,” Stockton said. “I hope he has a great season.”
In Other News...
Former A&M Defensive Architect Is Now Shaping Another SEC Program
Will Steins first staff move at Kentucky carried a familiar Texas A&M flavor, as the new Wildcats coach turned to former Aggies defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to help shape the next chapter in Lexington. Batemans time in College Station left a clear imprint, with his defenses playing a major role in A&Ms 11-0 start and eventual College Football Playoff trip, the kind of run that makes his resume stand out in the SEC coaching carousel.
For Texas A&M, the connection adds a little extra edge to a matchup already circled on the calendar. Kentucky visits College Station on Sept. 19, giving the Aggies an early chance to see how one of their former defensive architects handles a new job in the same league, while A&M continues looking ahead to a 2026 season that will put its key voices back in the spotlight at SEC Media Days. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Elkos Terry Bussey Update Changes Everything For Texas A&Ms Offense
Texas A&Ms offense is entering the season with a very different look, and Mike Elko is sorting through the ripple effects of departures to the NFL and the transfer portal. The Aggies will lean on a mix of returning players and newcomers to stabilize the receiver room, with the staff still trying to settle who can step into the biggest roles and keep the passing game moving.
One name now sitting at the center of that conversation is Terry Bussey, whose availability changes the outlook for an offense that needs playmakers to emerge quickly. Elkos group has spent the offseason piecing together options around the receiver group, and Busseys presence gives the Aggies a much-needed piece as they head into fall camp with more questions than answers about how the targets will be distributed. [Read more 🡒]
One Aggies Pass Rusher Is Suddenly Turning Heads This Offseason
Texas A&Ms front seven is shaping up as one of the more intriguing parts of the 2026 roster, with a heavy dose of returning production and several newcomers expected to factor right away. Former Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka is projected to start, while sophomore Marco Jones is set to handle a hybrid linebacker-edge role that could make him a central piece of the defense. In that mix, the Aggies also have a former Georgia transfer in Samuel MPemba, whose limited action last season left more questions than answers.
MPemba is now drawing attention for a different reason. He has shown notable strength during offseason training, and the buzz around his work has only added to the sense that his role could expand in a hurry behind Jones. Texas A&M has plenty of NFL-level talent on the roster already, but the development of players like MPemba often ends up shaping how much upside a defense really has once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]