Texas A&M’s running back room is heading into camp with a real battle at the top, and Mike Elko made it clear there’s another name worth watching closely: freshman KJ Edwards.
Elko said last Wednesday at SEC Media Days that Edwards is already making steady progress and has a chance to carve out a role this fall. The Aggies coach pointed to the young back’s growth since arriving on campus and left no doubt that the door is open for him to force his way into the rotation.
“I think he’s progressing really well for a young kid,” Elko stated regarding Edwards. “I think he is getting stronger, more comfortable with our system.
Obviously, has the ability to be a really, really dynamic playmaker. I think you saw that a lot from him in high school.
We’re excited to see him come out in camp and compete for the opportunity to earn some opportunities this fall.”
That competition starts with Rueben Owens and Jamarion Morrow, who are expected to be the main names fighting for the starting job once camp opens. Elko confirmed that battle during his time at the podium, and with Le'Veon Moss now officially a former player, the Aggies have a clear opening at the position.
Owens is coming off a season in which he rushed for a career-high 639 yards and five touchdowns, while Morrow flashed as a freshman reserve and showed the kind of one-cut style, vision and burst that can win a job. Both have a strong case to be part of the answer.
Edwards, though, gives Texas A&M something different. The former five-star brings elite speed and agility, and there’s a path for him to work his way into the No. 3 spot early, much like Rueben Owens did as a freshman in 2023 when he rushed for 385 yards and three touchdowns. The expectation is that screens and outside runs could be where Edwards makes his first real impact.
That kind of depth matters for an offense that averaged 184.1 yards per game on the ground last season. Texas A&M had trouble finding consistency after Le'Veon Moss was injured against Florida, and adding Edwards only strengthens the case for more speed and versatility in the backfield.
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