Texas A&M’s 2025 season came to a frustrating end in the first round of the College Football Playoff, falling 10-3 to a Miami team that-while potentially on its way to a national title-looked beatable on the day. For the Aggies, it wasn’t just the loss that stung, but how it unfolded.
A&M had its chances, especially in the red zone, but couldn’t finish. And when you’re playing in one of the windiest games College Station has seen in years, every missed opportunity gets magnified.
Quarterback Marcel Reed struggled to find rhythm in the pocket, and the Aggies’ run game was essentially a non-factor. The result?
Just a single field goal-courtesy of senior kicker Randy Bond-despite multiple trips deep into Miami territory. The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter, when Reed was picked off in the red zone as A&M was driving to tie the game and potentially force overtime.
That play sealed it.
Head coach Mike Elko didn’t point fingers at Reed, whose accuracy issues were likely impacted by the swirling wind. But he made it clear: the run game has to improve, and that starts up front.
That’s exactly where Elko and his staff have focused this offseason. Since the loss, Texas A&M has brought in 17 transfer commitments, including four offensive linemen-a much-needed infusion of talent after losing five starters to the 2026 NFL Draft. Beyond the trenches, the Aggies have added depth and versatility across the board: five defensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs, two tight ends, wide receiver Isaiah Horton, and kicker David Olano.
It’s a significant haul, and while transfer additions always come with a degree of uncertainty, there’s no denying the Aggies are reloading with purpose. After finishing 11-2 and making their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, Elko’s third season could be the most pivotal yet. The new nine-game SEC schedule won’t make things any easier, but the pieces are there.
Marcel Reed, despite his late-season struggles, enters 2026 with two full years of experience and will be throwing to one of the most talented wide receiver corps in the country. That continuity, paired with a rebuilt offensive line, gives the offense a foundation to build on. The key will be turning red zone trips into touchdowns-something that haunted them against Miami.
Defensively, the Aggies will need to replace unanimous All-American edge rusher Cashius Howell. That’s no small task, but sophomore Marco Jones and transfer additions Anto Saka and Ryan Henderson will be asked to fill the void.
The pass rush will look different, but there’s potential. As for the run defense, which was a soft spot in both of A&M’s losses last season, the arrival of transfer defensive linemen CJ Mims and Angelo McCullom could bring the kind of size and disruption the front seven was missing.
The secondary, though, might be the real strength of this defense. Senior corners Dezz Ricks and Julio Humphrey are back, bringing experience and stability. Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson, who missed last season due to injury, is a bit of a wild card-but if he’s healthy and plays to his potential, he could be a game-changer once conference play ramps up.
Looking at the schedule, it’s clear the road ahead won’t be smooth. The Aggies will travel to LSU, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.
That’s a brutal slate by any standard. The big question now: Can they match their 11-2 mark from 2025, or will they slide back to the 8-4 range that’s defined much of their recent history?
Some early predictions-like those from SEC Unfiltered’s Chris Phillips and Cole Thompson-have the Aggies finishing 8-4, with losses to Oklahoma and Texas among the expected setbacks. But let’s be honest: it’s January. There’s a long offseason ahead, with plenty of time for development, depth chart battles, and maybe even a few more roster moves.
So, is this the year Texas A&M takes the next step and becomes a regular in the CFP conversation? Or will they once again be left wondering what could’ve been?
We’ll find out soon enough. For now, the countdown to September is officially on.