Head coach Mike Elko has the Texas A&M Aggies trending in a great direction. After making the College Football Playoffs a season ago, the team also returns a ton of talent from last year, as well as their starting quarterback, Marcel Reed. There is no reason to believe that this group won’t continue to get better heading into the 2026 college football season.

When the offseason began, ESPN released an early top-25 ranking. The Aggies debuted at No. 10 on that list, which felt like a fair slot after the team lost some notable players from a season ago. Mark Schlabach did an updated ranking following some buzz and new information from spring practice recently. Texas A&M held steady at No. 10 on that list.

Here is what Schlabach wrote about Texas A&M and their outlook leaving the spring.

10. Texas A&M Aggies

2025 record: 11-2, 7-1 SEC

Previous ranking: 10

Key players lost: WR KC Concepcion, OT Trey Zuhn III, G Chase Bisontis, OT Dametrious Crownover, DE Cashius Howell, LB Taurean York, CB Will Lee III, DT Albert Regis, DT Tyler Onyedim

Key additions: WR Isaiah Horton (Alabama), OT Wilkin Formby (Alabama), OT Tyree Adams (LSU), G Trovon Baugh (South Carolina), DE Anto Saka (Northwestern), DL Angelo McCullom (Illinois), CB Rickey Gibson (Tennessee), S Tawfiq Byard (Colorado), ATH Brandon Arrington (high school)

2026 outlook: The Aggies started 11-0 last season and seemed to be on their way to one of the best seasons in program history until two late losses slowed down momentum. Still, the Aggies seem to be built to last under second-year coach Mike Elko, who went back into the portal to rebuild his roster. Texas A&M had heavy losses on both the offensive and defensive lines. Quarterback Marcel Reed is coming back and needs to be more consistent. He’ll benefit from receiver Mario Craver re-signing. Holmon Wiggins takes over the playcalling on offense after Collin Klein left for Kansas State, and Lyle Hemphill is now in charge of the defense.

Why you should buy into Texas A&M

Heading into 2026, the Aggies should once again bring a lot of offensive firepower to the table. Outside of Reed, the team brings back wide receiver Mario Craver and running back Rueben Owens II, on top of Alabama wide receiver transfer Isaiah Horton. That is a ton of speed on one offense. There is a lot of big-play potential if the offensive line plays well.

On defense, the Aggies also bring back a ton of talented players. That includes defensive tackle DJ Hicks and safety Dalton Brooks. Even with younger players having to step in, the odds are high that a coach like Elko will be able to get the most out of the raw talent.

What could hold the Aggies back?

The Aggies had one of the better offensive lines in college football last season. They now have to replace four starters, which is never a good thing in one offseason. That is by far the biggest question mark about this team right now. That, as well as whether Reed can be a more consistent passer in the biggest moments.