Texas A&M’s season hasn’t gone the way anyone in College Station wanted, but the bye week arrives with one clear silver lining: the Aggies’ true freshmen are giving Mike Elko something to work with.
At 4-4 after Saturday’s 31-20 loss to Alabama, Texas A&M has spent the fall searching for consistency. Still, a handful of first-year players have already forced their way onto the field, and in some cases into meaningful roles, against SEC competition. The 2026 recruiting class has produced early signs of life on both sides of the ball.
KJ Edwards has been the headliner. The former Carthage standout leads Texas A&M with 360 rushing yards on 55 carries and is averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
He has two rushing touchdowns, both against Arkansas, and has already shown he can swing a game with burst and open-field ability. Edwards ran for a season-high 116 yards against The Citadel and paced the Aggies with 43 rushing yards against Alabama.
Another freshman running back, Carsyn Baker, has made his chances count too. The 6-foot, 210-pound back has 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries, giving Texas A&M a physical complement to Edwards. Baker did damage against The Citadel as well, finishing with 54 rushing yards and reinforcing the idea that the Aggies may already have the start of something at running back.
The freshman impact hasn’t been limited to the ground game. Aaron Gregory has become a real option in the passing attack, putting up 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns through eight games.
His best showing came against The Citadel, when he hauled in six passes for 94 yards and two scores. At 6-foot-2, Gregory brings size and playmaking ability to a receiving group that needs more steady production.
On defense, Tamarion Watkins has started to carve out a role at linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 228-pound freshman posted four tackles against The Citadel and added an assisted tackle against Alabama. His snaps are still coming behind more experienced players, but his early work has shown enough to suggest he can grow into a useful part of the linebacker room.
Up front, Sam Roseborough has already gained valuable reps on the offensive line. The 6-foot-3, 303-pound freshman started at left guard against The Citadel and then saw more action against Alabama. He played 26 offensive snaps against the Crimson Tide and earned an 82.9 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade, a strong sign for his future in pass protection.
For a team that has had its share of frustration this season, these freshmen have offered a different kind of storyline. The record is still the record. But through eight games, Texas A&M has at least found a few young players worth building around.
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