Texas A&M finally broke through in 2025, punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. The Aggies stormed out to an 11-0 start - their best since 1993 - under second-year head coach Mike Elko, riding momentum and belief all the way to the postseason.
But the dream run hit a wall fast. Back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami closed the season at 11-2, and while that record would be cause for celebration at most programs, in College Station, expectations are a little different.
Because here’s the reality: when you’re a top-tier NIL power like Texas A&M, just making the playoff isn’t enough anymore. Especially not when a program like Indiana - long seen as a Big Ten bottom-dweller - just hoisted its first national title under Curt Cignetti. The Aggies aren’t just trying to get to the dance; they’re trying to own the floor.
Now, Elko heads into a pivotal offseason with a major roster overhaul on his hands. Texas A&M saw over a dozen players head to the 2026 NFL Draft, including five starting offensive linemen and several key defensive contributors.
That kind of attrition would send most programs into a full rebuild. But thanks to the transfer portal, Elko and his staff are reloading instead.
The Aggies added 17 transfers, highlighted by Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton - a big-play threat who brings SEC experience and explosiveness - and Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka, who’ll be counted on to help anchor a defense that’s looking to reestablish its identity. These aren’t just depth pieces. These are potential game-changers.
On offense, continuity comes in the form of quarterback Marcel Reed and wide receiver Mario Craver, who return for a second season together. Craver is emerging as one of the most dynamic young receivers in the country, and he’ll be a focal point in the passing game. Leading rusher Rueben Owens is also back, giving the Aggies a proven weapon in the backfield.
But the big question - and it’s a big one - centers around Reed. His 2025 season was a mixed bag.
While he showed flashes of playmaking ability, his accuracy was a concern. He completed just 53% of his passes, ranking 124th in the FBS.
That’s not going to cut it if the Aggies want to make another deep run.
Enter new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins, along with quarterbacks coach Joey Lynch and offensive assistant Drew Hollingshead. This trio is tasked with refining Reed’s mechanics, improving his decision-making, and unlocking the consistency that’s eluded him so far. If they can get him to take that next step, the ceiling for this offense rises significantly.
Defensively, Elko’s track record speaks for itself. Even with the losses to the NFL, there’s confidence he can mold a competitive unit. His defensive acumen was a major reason for the Aggies’ rise in 2025, and with new talent coming in - both from the portal and a strong 2025-26 recruiting class - there’s reason to believe the defense won’t fall off a cliff.
According to Pro Football Focus, Texas A&M’s chances of returning to the College Football Playoff sit somewhere in the “medium” range - not exactly a ringing endorsement, but not a dismissal either. It’s a fair assessment for a team with plenty of talent, but also plenty of question marks.
The path back to the CFP will depend on how quickly this new-look roster gels, and whether Marcel Reed can develop into a quarterback who doesn’t just manage games, but wins them. If he does, and if the defense can find its footing post-draft, Texas A&M has the tools to make another run.
But in the SEC - and now in the expanded 12-team playoff era - nothing comes easy. The Aggies have the pieces. Now it’s about putting them together.