Texas A&M’s passing game may have found a new kind of edge, and Isaiah Horton is at the center of it.
The Alabama transfer has quickly become one of the most intriguing pieces in Mike Elko’s offense, with early signs pointing to a strong fit between Horton and quarterback Marcel Reed. The Aggies have been looking for a receiver who can stretch the field, win in the air and make the kind of catches that change the feel of a drive. Horton, by all appearances, brings that package.
“He's been what we were hoping we were getting in that he's a big, tall, physical receiver,” Elko said. “He adds another dimension to the room.”
That “dimension” matters because Texas A&M’s receiver group looks deeper than it has in a long time. Mario Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey are all back for the Aggies, with Bussey returning healthy. Horton gives Reed another high-end option, and the early chemistry between the quarterback and his new target has already stood out.
“We've built chemistry,” Horton stated. “He has grabbed me and embraced me and shown me the Aggie culture - We do our own one-on-ones off the field, but other than that, it's about the team.”
Horton said the transition into his first year in Aggieland has been made easier by that connection with Reed, but also by the way the offense has come together around a shared goal. With Week 1 approaching, the focus inside the program is less on who gets the ball and more on what helps Texas A&M win.
“We don't worry about that because we're just worried about winning,” Horton noted. “At the end of the day, whoever is out there, it's about giving us the best chance to win.”
He also pointed to the progress the offense has made in building itself into a more unified group, stressing that success will depend on the kind of sharp, disciplined play that doesn’t always look pretty.
“We made big strides coming together as an offense and understanding that winning doesn't always look pretty,” Horton said. “We're making big strides with our energy and our focus.”
Elko echoed that message, making it clear that the Aggies still have to prove it when the lights come on.
“We got to continue to be the team that steps up and makes those winning plays,” Elko said.
For Texas A&M, Horton’s blend of size, physicality and downfield ability could be exactly the added punch this offense has been missing. If the chemistry with Reed keeps building, the Aggies may have another dangerous weapon on their hands.
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Texas A&Ms New College Football 27 Ratings Send An Early Message
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The updated player pool also brought in several newcomers for Texas A&M, including freshmen and sophomores Evan Jacobson and Caleb Tafua. Their initial ratings fall in the 74-to-77 range, which gives the Aggies a fairly solid baseline but also leaves room for a few younger pieces to make a bigger impression once the real season gets moving. [Read more 🡒]