Texas A&M’s quarterback room for 2026 is starting to take shape, and it’s clear Mike Elko likes what he sees. After reeling in 18 players from the transfer portal this offseason, Elko didn’t touch the quarterback or running back rooms - a move that speaks volumes about the confidence he has in his current depth chart, especially behind starter Marcel Reed and junior running back Rueben Owens.
The biggest change came when sophomore quarterback Miles O’Neill hit the portal and landed at North Carolina. That departure leaves the Aggies with a young and relatively untested group behind Reed, which naturally raises some questions as we look ahead to the fall. But if Elko’s actions - and inaction - are any indication, he believes the pieces are already in place.
One name that could’ve added a veteran presence to the room was Austin Novosad. The former Aggie recruiting target and Oregon quarterback quietly committed to Bowling Green, where he’s expected to take over as the starter. Novosad had the talent and experience to slide into the No. 2 role in College Station, but Texas A&M didn’t bite - and that’s likely because of how the staff feels about Brady Hart.
Hart, a former four-star recruit and Michigan flip, has already earned praise from the coaching staff. He’s been in the system, understands the offensive scheme, and now has a full offseason to develop under new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. While Wiggins will bring his own flavor to the offense, don’t expect a complete overhaul - which only strengthens Hart’s case as the primary backup.
The staff also promoted Joey Lynch to quarterbacks coach, and there’s some built-in familiarity there. Lynch has a long-standing connection with Marcel Reed dating back to Reed’s high school days, and Hart is already comfortable with Lynch’s coaching style. That kind of continuity matters, especially when you’re trying to build depth and stability at the most important position on the field.
As for O’Neill, his decision to transfer makes sense. After two years as the backup, he’s clearly looking for a starting opportunity - something that wasn’t likely to happen in College Station with Reed entrenched as QB1. And make no mistake, Reed is the guy.
According to recent projections from ESPN, Reed is expected to retain the starting job in 2026 - and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Despite a rocky finish to the 2025 season, Reed’s first full year as the starter was filled with promise.
He led the Aggies to an 11-0 start, averaged 13.5 yards per completion, and posted monster games against Notre Dame (360 yards) and South Carolina (439 yards). He threw multiple touchdown passes in nine of those first 11 games and added 493 rushing yards with six touchdowns on the ground.
But the back end of that season? That’s where the questions start to creep in.
Reed threw four interceptions and no touchdowns in back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami - games that ultimately knocked A&M out of the College Football Playoff hunt. He finished the year with 12 interceptions, and if the Aggies want to take the next step, Reed has to be better in the big moments.
The tools are there. The experience is there.
Now it’s about consistency - particularly when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest.
Behind Hart, true freshman Helaman Casuga is a name to keep an eye on. The dual-threat quarterback from Utah brings a ton of raw talent and athleticism to the table.
He’s ranked just inside the SC Next 300 for the 2026 class, but he’s likely a long-term project. Casuga will need time to adjust to the college game and learn Wiggins’ system, so expect him to start out as the third-string option - though his upside is undeniable.
Still, don’t rule out a shakeup in the pecking order. Casuga could push Hart for the No. 2 job if he develops quickly, and another name to watch is Eli Morcos. The former three-star recruit has flashed some intriguing mobility, and while he’s a bit of a wild card, he could challenge Casuga for that third spot on the depth chart.
So where does that leave Texas A&M heading into 2026? With Marcel Reed leading the way and a mix of promising young talent behind him, the Aggies are betting on internal development over external additions. It’s a calculated risk - but one that could pay off if Reed sharpens his decision-making and the young guns step up when called upon.