If Texas A&M wants to make a return to the College Football Playoff, all eyes will be on redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed. Reed wrapped up his first full season as a starter with impressive numbers: 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
He led the Aggies to an 11-2 record and a strong 7-1 finish in SEC play. However, the road to glory hit a bump with playoff losses to Texas and Miami, where Reed struggled, throwing four interceptions and appearing unsettled against top-tier defenses.
The absence of a reliable run game didn't help, and Reed's dual-threat capabilities seemed to narrow as the season progressed.
With over a dozen players departing for graduation and the 2026 NFL Draft-including a nation-leading 13 NFL Scouting Combine invitees-Coach Mike Elko and his staff have been busy. They've added 17 new faces from the transfer portal. Among these new additions is Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton, who, along with returning starters, should bolster Reed's offensive arsenal.
Coach Elko, speaking to the media for the first time in nearly two months, reflected on last offseason's theme of "finishing." The Aggies had leads against Texas and were tied with Miami before faltering late in the games. Although Reed isn't solely to blame, Elko emphasized that his quarterback needs to elevate his game in crunch time, regardless of his first-half performances.
"Last offseason, it was about finishing and making sure that we finished the right way. This year, it's more about consistency and urgency. ...
That applies to Marcel. There were times where he played quarterback at an elite level, and there were times where he didn't."
Reed will now collaborate closely with new quarterbacks coach Joey Lynch and first-year offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. Both are well-acquainted with Reed's skillset and are focused on addressing his remaining challenges this offseason. The pieces are in place for Reed to lead a potent offense, and if he can find consistency, Texas A&M could be a formidable contender once again.