As Texas A&M turns the page to 2026, all eyes are on quarterback Marcel Reed - and for good reason. The Aggies are clearly doubling down on continuity, keeping much of the offensive staff intact after the departure of offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
That familiarity matters, especially for a QB like Reed, who thrives when he’s in rhythm with the people calling the plays. The message is clear: this offense is still Reed’s to run.
And make no mistake, he’s shown he can be the guy. Reed’s ability to operate the RPO game and create when things break down is a real asset.
He’s not just a system player - when plays go off script, he’s got the instincts and athleticism to make something happen. That was evident through most of the 2025 season.
Sure, the final few games didn’t exactly leave a great taste, but they also didn’t tell the full story. For the first ten games, Reed was a difference-maker.
That said, there’s still a next step he needs to take - and it starts with becoming a more consistent passer. His completion percentage ticked up just one point from 2024 to 2025 (61% to 62%), and that’s not the kind of leap you want to see from a quarterback entering his third season at the helm.
The tools are there, but the precision? That’s where the work lies.
Decision-making is another area under the microscope heading into 2026. Reed won’t have KC Concepcion to bail him out this time.
Concepcion was that safety valve - a guy who could turn a routine 10-yard throw into a 50-yard highlight. Without that kind of dynamic YAC (yards after catch) threat, Reed’s going to have to sharpen his reads, trust the offense, and make the ordinary plays look easy.
That means hitting tighter windows, especially in the red zone, where things get congested and every inch matters.
To help with that transition, A&M added Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton to the mix. Horton brings a different skill set - more of a boundary, X-type receiver who can win those 50-50 balls.
He’s not necessarily going to be a catch-and-run weapon like Concepcion, but he gives Reed a big target on the outside and a chance to stretch the field vertically. That’s a valuable piece, especially if Reed can develop the timing and chemistry to take advantage of it.
Bottom line: if Reed can grow as a passer - improve his accuracy, make better decisions, and operate more cleanly within the offense - everything else around him gets better. The receivers benefit.
The run game opens up. The Aggies’ offense, which already has pieces in place, starts to look a lot more dangerous.
There’s no question Reed has the talent. Now it’s about refinement. If that happens in 2026, Texas A&M could be in for a very interesting year.