Texas A&M Turns Down Texas Tech, Navigates Key Position Battles at Fall Camp

Texas A&M has turned down an offer from Texas Tech to schedule a future non-conference game, declining to revive a rivalry that dates to the Aggies' Big 12 days. The decision leaves Texas A&M's non-conference slate focused elsewhere as the program prepares for its 2026 opener against Missouri State on Sept. 5.

On Monday, Texas A&M held its fifth preseason practice, and redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed continued to build on what coaches and observers described as a notably improved offseason. Reed, entering his second full starting season under third-year coach Mike Elko, threw several sharp passes during the session, including a notable completion to junior wide receiver Mario Craver while escaping pressure. Reed threw for a career-high 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns last season but also tossed 12 interceptions, eight of which came against top-35-ranked defenses.

His goal is to lead this team to a championship and be an NFL draft pick. He's very, very comfortable with where we're at right now with the scheme stuff. Last offseason, I was dealing with people asking me if he would be able to complete a forward pass, and I tried to convince everyone that he would, and now there's a thought that he's hit his ceiling, but I still think there's a ton of growth for him, and he's committed to doing that.

— Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, to ESPN

Position Battles Taking Shape

Among the program's 17 transfer portal additions, former Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka and Tennessee transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson III have stood out through the early practices, slotting in to replace unanimous All-American pass rusher Cashius Howell and veteran corner Will Lee — two of the 10 Aggies selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton has also worked into the receiver rotation alongside returning starters Craver and Ashton Bethel-Roman.

The running back competition between Rueben Owens and Jamarion Morrow remains unsettled, with freshman KJ Edwards drawing attention for his athleticism. On the defensive front, sophomore edge Marco Jones, who appeared in eight games last season and recorded 2.5 sacks, has impressed coaches after adding size — now listed at 6-foot-5, 261 pounds — and is in line to start at the Jack position. Senior linebacker Daymion Sanford, whose return from a fibula injury was described as remarkable, is also working back into the lineup.

Two Aggies earned spots on On3's Preseason 2026 All-America third team: junior wide receiver Mario Craver on offense and senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe on defense. New offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill take the reins as Texas A&M looks to build on its College Football Playoff appearance from a season ago.