Texas A&M’s 2025 season ended just shy of the ultimate prize, falling to Miami (FL) in the first round of the College Football Playoff. And while the Hurricanes came up short in the national title game against Indiana, there’s no doubt the Aggies made a statement this year - and more importantly, set the stage for a run at something even bigger in 2026.
Let’s not gloss over what Mike Elko and his staff have done in College Station. In just one week after the season ended, they reeled in 17 commitments from the transfer portal - a staggering number that speaks to both the program’s momentum and Elko’s ability to identify and address roster needs with urgency and precision.
This wasn’t just about adding bodies. It was about targeting areas that lacked depth or top-tier talent in 2025 and reloading with players who can help push this team over the hump.
For a program that just made its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, the trajectory is clear: Texas A&M isn’t satisfied with being in the conversation. They want to be the headline.
And they’re not far off.
While it’s still early in the offseason, it’s worth reflecting on just how close the Aggies came to advancing. They were the only team all year to hold Miami under 10 points - a Miami team that was within a few plays of winning the national championship.
That defensive performance speaks volumes about the caliber of talent Elko has assembled, especially on that side of the ball. Had a couple of key throws gone Marcel Reed’s way, we might be telling a very different story.
The final rankings tell us what the tape already did. Texas A&M finished No. 8 in both the AP and US LBM Coaches Polls, and they held steady at No. 8 in the USA TODAY College Football Re-Rank.
That’s not just a nod to their record - it’s a recognition of how they played, how they competed, and how close they were to breaking through. Other CFP teams like Oregon, Georgia, and Texas Tech dropped three spots after their postseason losses.
The Aggies? Just two.
That’s a sign of respect from voters who saw a team that belonged - and one that could have gone deeper.
Now, as we look ahead to 2026, the Aggies find themselves in familiar territory: loaded with talent, surrounded by hype, and carrying expectations that come with a top-10 finish and a roster built to contend. Key returners on both sides of the ball give this team a strong foundation, and the influx of portal talent adds another layer of intrigue.
But as anyone around the program will tell you, hype doesn’t win games. Execution does. And while the pieces are in place for another playoff run - or more - it won’t mean much until they take the field next fall.
For now, Texas A&M fans can take pride in a season that pushed the program into new territory. The Aggies didn’t just make history in 2025 - they laid the groundwork for something bigger. And if Elko’s fast start to the offseason is any indication, this team isn’t just chasing playoff appearances anymore.
They’re chasing titles.