aggieswire
Texas A&M's 2025 season reached unprecedented heights with an 11-0 start, highlighted by road victories over Notre Dame, LSU, and Missouri. Quarterback Marcel Reed posted career-best numbers with 3,169 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while transfer wideouts KC Concepcion and Mario Craver amassed a combined 1,836 yards and 13 touchdowns.
However, following a dramatic comeback win over South Carolina, the Aggies' performance on both sides of the ball dipped, leading to consecutive losses against Texas in the regular-season finale and Miami in the College Football Playoff first round. In the Miami game, Texas A&M entered the fourth quarter tied at 3-3 but failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities.
Shortly after entering the transfer portal, Texas A&M secured a commitment from former Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka. Despite flying under the radar among casual fans, Saka is widely considered a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. During the Maroon & White Game, his football intelligence, speed-to-power pass-rushing ability, and quickness in pursuit of running backs were immediately evident. The Baltimore native, standing 6'4" and weighing 255 pounds, recently spoke with GigEm247's Tony Catalina about the team's mindset for 2026.
"Are we going to be satisfied with winning 11 games, or are we going to push it and we're going to make it to the championship?" Saka asked rhetorically. "That's really been on everybody's mind. Championship or nothing. And we have the team to do it."
While Reed struggled in the final two games, throwing no touchdowns and four interceptions, the defense also faltered, allowing 218 and 175 rushing yards against Texas and Miami, respectively, after averaging 130 per game previously. Head coach Mike Elko, who assumed defensive play-calling duties in his third season, bears significant responsibility for the run defense's decline.
Replacing unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell—who led the SEC with 11.5 sacks—became a top offseason priority. To bolster the defensive line, the Aggies plan to integrate Saka, North Carolina transfer nose tackle CJ Mims, senior defensive end T.J. Searcy, and senior defensive tackle DJ Hicks to strengthen the run defense and create a more collective pass rush.
Key Analysis
Pro Football Focus credited Saka with an elite 84.1 pass-rush grade, recording 30 pressures and 18 quarterback hurries. During his Northwestern career, he tallied 41 tackles, 12 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. With Saka's addition and the revamped front, Texas A&M aims to recapture its early-season dominance and make a deeper playoff run.
Originally reported by aggieswire.