Texas A&M wrapped up its 2025 football season with an 11-2 record and, for the first time in program history, a spot in the College Football Playoff. That’s a major step forward under head coach Mike Elko, who’s only in his second year in College Station.
But despite the historic milestone, the season didn’t end the way the Aggies had hoped. A loss to rival Texas on the road to close the regular season stung, and the 10-3 defeat to Miami-who went on to finish as national runner-up-left a bitter taste, especially in a game that felt winnable.
Still, there’s no denying the momentum building under Elko. The program made visible strides in Year 2, and now the focus shifts to 2026, with a retooled coaching staff and a roster that’s been reshaped through the transfer portal and recruiting trail.
One of the biggest offseason moves came when offensive coordinator Collin Klein left to become the new head coach at Kansas State, his alma mater. In response, Elko promoted wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins to offensive coordinator-a move that signals continuity and trust in the system already in place. Wiggins brings a strong track record of developing wideouts, and now he’ll have the reins of the entire offense.
The Aggies wasted no time hitting the portal once it opened on January 9. Elko and his staff brought in 17 transfers, bolstering key areas of need.
The headline addition was Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton, a late get who adds size and speed to the receiving corps. On the other side of the ball, former Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka is already catching the eyes of NFL scouts and will be tasked with stepping into the massive shoes left by unanimous All-American Cashius Howell.
At quarterback, Marcel Reed returns for his third season in the program and his second as the full-time starter. Reed showed flashes last year and will now be working behind a revamped offensive line that includes four transfers-all of whom started in the SEC last season. That kind of experience up front could be a game-changer for Reed’s development and the offense’s overall rhythm.
Despite losing more than 10 players to the 2026 NFL Draft, Texas A&M still landed at No. 8 in nearly every early preseason ranking. That’s a clear sign that the national media is starting to buy into what Elko is building in Aggieland. It’s not just about one strong season-it’s about sustainable success, and the pieces are starting to come together.
On Wednesday night, the Aggies released their 2026 spring football schedule. Practice kicks off on Friday, March 20, and will run through Saturday, April 18, with 15 total practices on the slate. Whether any of those practices will be open to the public remains to be seen.
What we do know is that it’ll be a busy spring in College Station. Between the 17 transfers and 25 signees from the 2026 recruiting class (minus tight end Evan Jacobson, who’s set to arrive this summer), the Aggies will have 42 new scholarship players on the field. That’s a massive influx of talent, and spring ball will be the first real look at how all the new pieces fit into Elko’s evolving blueprint.
Texas A&M isn’t just aiming to return to the playoff-they’re building toward something bigger. And this spring will be a critical step in that journey.