Texas A&M wrapped up its 2025 campaign with an 11-2 record, going 7-1 in SEC play and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. But the Aggies' postseason run was cut short in the first round with a 10-3 home loss to Miami (FL)-a Hurricanes squad that came within striking distance of a national title before falling to Indiana in the championship game.
While Indiana's Cinderella story under Curt Cignetti grabbed national headlines, Texas A&M has been quietly building something serious in College Station. Head coach Mike Elko and his staff have been aggressive in the transfer portal, bringing in 17 new faces-including standout wide receiver Isaiah Horton and edge rusher Anto Saka, a rising star who’s already drawing first-round buzz for the 2027 NFL Draft.
And the Aggies aren’t just adding talent-they’re retaining it. Quarterback Marcel Reed is back to lead the offense after a strong 2025 season.
He’ll be joined by dynamic running back Rueben Owens and two key cornerbacks in Dezz Ricks and Julio Humphrey, all of whom re-signed with the program. That kind of continuity, especially at quarterback and in the secondary, gives Texas A&M a strong foundation heading into 2026.
But if there’s one area that could make or break this team’s ceiling, it’s the offensive line. With five veteran linemen off to the NFL Draft, the Aggies will be breaking in four new starters up front.
That’s a major transition, and how quickly that unit gels will be critical-especially in the run game, where A&M struggled with consistency last season. If the new-look line can open lanes for Owens and keep Reed upright, the offense has a chance to take a real step forward.
Despite the early playoff exit, the Aggies still earned national respect. On Tuesday, they landed at No. 8 in the final US LBM Coaches Poll, voted on by 62 FBS coaches-including Elko himself. And for those wondering whether Elko would give his own team a generous bump in the rankings, that wasn’t the case.
In his personal Top 25 ballot, Elko slotted Texas A&M at No. 8, right in line with the consensus. He gave the top spot to Indiana, followed by Miami (FL), Mississippi, Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas Tech. The Aggies came next, ahead of Alabama and rival Texas, who rounded out his top ten.
Elko also gave nods to some under-the-radar programs, including Washington-who impressed in their bowl blowout over Boise State-and ACC champion Duke. His ballot reflected a coach who’s not only watching closely but rewarding performance across the board.
As Texas A&M heads into Elko’s third season, expectations are high-and for good reason. With a mix of returning stars, high-impact transfers, and a defense that’s already proven it can hang with the best, the Aggies are positioned to make another run at the playoff.
But it’ll all start in the trenches. If the offensive line comes together, this team won’t just be good on paper-they’ll be a real contender.