Texas A&M football enters the 2026 college football season with expectations to compete for a national championship after making the College Football Playoff in 2025. Head coach Mike Elko has built confidence and energy throughout the program, and the Aggies boast considerable talent across the roster. There is a strong argument, however, that the 2026 season will be defined by how Texas A&M answers several critical question marks before those championship aspirations become reality.

While there is plenty to be excited about in College Station, here are the pitfalls that could hold the Aggies back from taking the next step this fall.

Quarterback Marcel Reed’s inconsistency problem

The most obvious concern starts under center. Quarterback Marcel Reed enters his redshirt junior season as a full-time starter for the second consecutive year after starting several games during the 2024 season. Reed has delivered tremendous moments as an athlete and potential dual-threat quarterback, but there have also been significant inconsistencies throughout his career. Those inconsistencies popped up at the worst possible times last season.

Wide receiver Mario Craver returns as a legitimate difference maker, and running back Reuben Owens gives the Aggies a dynamic weapon in the backfield. The loss of KC Concepcion to the NFL, though, takes away Reed’s safety blanket in the passing game. Reed will need to take a real step forward in 2026 without that security. There’s a strong argument that he has been a product of a good overall system, and with Concepcion gone and the offensive line retooling, the expectations on Reed to elevate this offense will be greater than ever.

The offensive line is replacing 4 starters

Unfortunately for Reed, the problems don’t stop at the skill positions. The offensive line is replacing four starters from a year ago. This is not a developmental unit built through high school recruiting, either. Texas A&M hit the transfer portal aggressively this offseason after losing Trey Zuhn, Dametrius Crownover, Chase Bisontis, and other talented performers from the 2025 group.

The Aggies brought in some recognizable names, including Wilkin Fornby from Alabama and Tyree Adams from LSU. Both players underwhelmed at their previous stops, though.

On paper, the Texas A&M offensive line does not look great, and the unit will need to show substantial growth throughout the year to hit its potential. If the line struggles, the downstream effects on Reed and the entire offense could be significant.

Replacing Cashius Howell’s pass rush production

On the defensive side of the football, there’s always going to be talent under a coach like Elko. The Aggies are losing a couple of mainstays who served massive roles in 2025, however, starting with former star pass rusher Cashius Howell. Howell ended up being a top-100 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after leading the SEC in sacks last season.

Anto Saka transfers in from Northwestern with high expectations, and true sophomore Marco Jones also figures to play an expanded role. Can either replace the leading sack artist in the conference from a year ago? That remains to be seen. Replacing that caliber of edge production is never easy, and the Aggies will need someone to emerge quickly.

Losing Taurean York’s leadership at linebacker

Texas A&M also lost linebacker Taurean York, who had been a mainstay in the middle of the defense for three seasons and a vocal leader for the entire program. The Aggies welcomed in former Tulsa standout Ray Coney to potentially fill in at middle linebacker, but York’s presence both on and off the field cannot be understated. Losing that type of leadership and experience in the heart of your defense creates a void that goes beyond the stat sheet.

The bottom line

The Aggies have a chance to field another strong defense and compete near the top of the SEC in 2026. There are far more question marks than people are letting on right now, though. Elko and his staff still have time to find answers before the fall, but the margin for error is thin when four legitimate concerns all need to break the right way for Texas A&M to reach its ceiling.