South Carolina has one loss from last season it would probably love to erase from memory. The Gamecocks built a 27-point halftime lead on Texas A&M in College Station, only to watch the Aggies storm all the way back for the largest comeback win in school history.
Marcel Reed was at the center of it. After throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble, the Texas A&M quarterback settled in and finished with a career-high 439 passing yards and three touchdowns. For Shane Beamer, that kind of collapse is exactly the sort of game his team is trying to move past as he heads into 2026 in Columbia.
That defeat to the Aggies was part of a frustrating pattern for South Carolina last fall. Beamer’s team also had Alabama in trouble at Williams-Brice Stadium before the fourth quarter, but Ty Simpson led the Crimson Tide back to shut the door on another potential upset.
There is reason for optimism around the Gamecocks entering Beamer’s sixth season. Third-year starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers is back, giving South Carolina’s offense a major lift.
Texas A&M, though, will have to deal with more than just Sellers. The Gamecocks also bring back star edge rusher Dylan Stewart, who could be on track to become an early-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
As for the Aggies’ turn at the 2026 SEC Media Days, they go on Wednesday in Tampa. Mike Elko will be there along with Reed, defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe and linebacker Daymion Sanford.
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 🡒]