Texas A&M’s offseason overhaul under new head coach Mike Elko is already turning heads - and it’s not even spring ball yet. With 17 new players added through the transfer portal (and maybe a couple more still to come), the Aggies are moving fast to reshape their roster after a 10-3 loss to Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Let’s be clear: this is still a work in progress. Depth is still a concern at a few key spots - running back, linebacker, and possibly the defensive line - but the foundation is starting to take shape, especially on offense. And that starts with redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed.
Reed Returns - With Plenty to Prove
Reed is back under center, and with that comes a spotlight as bright as any in college football. He threw for a career-high 3,192 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, but the 12 interceptions loom large.
The Aggies don’t need him to be perfect - they need him to be consistent. That means better decision-making, more poise in the pocket, and fewer risky throws.
The tools are there. Reed has shown he can stretch the field and make plays with his arm, but the next step is refining the mental side of the game. If he takes that leap, A&M’s offense could be dangerous.
Rebuilding the Receiver Room - With Size and Speed
One of the biggest issues last season? Size at wide receiver. Transfers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver were productive - combining for over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns - but both are under 5'10", and their skill sets are best suited for the slot or short-yardage work.
Enter Isaiah Horton.
The Alabama transfer brings something the Aggies desperately needed: a true outside threat. At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Horton is built to win one-on-one matchups on the perimeter. He’s expected to slide right into the X receiver role, giving Reed a big-bodied target who can stretch the field vertically and win contested catches.
Texas A&M missed out on Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, who committed to Texas, but rebounding with Horton was a strong move. He brings a different dimension to this receiver corps, and his presence should open things up for the smaller, shiftier guys like Craver and Concepcion to do their thing underneath.
Offensive Line: Reloading After NFL Departures
The Aggies are replacing all five of their 2025 starting offensive linemen, who are off to the NFL. That’s a massive turnover, but the staff wasted no time bringing in reinforcements.
They’ve added four new linemen via the portal, including Alabama’s Wilkin Formby and LSU’s Coen Echols, both of whom are expected to be immediate contributors. There’s still some sorting out to do, but the early returns suggest this group will have the talent - and size - to hold its own in the trenches.
Here’s a look at how the offensive depth chart is shaping up with the new arrivals:
Projected Offensive Depth Chart
Quarterback
- Starter: Marcel Reed
- Backups: Brady Hart, Helaman Casuga (Freshman), Eli Morcos
Running Back
- Starter: Rueben Owens
- Depth: Jamarion Morrow, Tiger Riden, KJ Edwards (Freshman), Carsyn Baker (Freshman)
Wide Receiver
- X Receiver: Isaiah Horton, Jerome Myles, Aaron Gregory (Freshman)
- Z Receiver: Ashton Bethel-Roman, Terry Bussey
- Slot: Mario Craver, Madden Williams (Freshman)
Tight End
- Starter: Houston Thomas (UTSA)
- Depth: Richie Anderson (Fresno State), Kiotti Armstrong, Micah Riley
Offensive Line
- Left Tackle: Wilkin Formby (Alabama), Robert Bourdon
- Left Guard: Coen Echols (LSU), Blake Ivy
- Center: Mark Nabou, Ashton Funk
- Right Guard: Trovon Baugh, Isendre Ahfua
What’s Next?
There’s still time for Elko and his staff to make a few more moves before the portal closes. Running back and linebacker remain areas to watch, and the defensive line could use one more body to solidify the rotation.
But make no mistake - this is a new-look Aggies team. After falling short in the postseason, they’re not standing still. They’re reloading, retooling, and ready to get back to work.
Circle September 5 on your calendar. That’s when Texas A&M opens the 2026 season against Missouri State. Between now and then, we’ll get a much clearer picture of how this revamped roster comes together - and whether the Aggies are ready to take that next step on the national stage.