Texas A&M finished the 2024 season with an 8-4 record and 5-3 record in SEC play, in head coach Mike Elko’s first season with the program. For the most part, this is an acceptable record considering the issues Elko and his staff have addressed, especially the loss of junior running back Le’Veon Moss after the season.
But Aggie fans can agree that OC Colin Klein needs to implement a more versatile game plan next season. Poor play calling and poor play led to a 17-7 loss to rival Texas in the final game of the season. This also lies at the feet of redshirt freshman quarterback Marcell Reed, who is assumed to be the starter in 2025 after Connor Weigman entered the transfer portal.
Texas A&M last week signed 25 players from the Aggies’ 2025 recruiting class, No. 9, including five-star offensive tackle Lamont Rodgers and five-star wide receiver Jerome Miles. He should be active starting next season.
A few days after the loss to Texas, 12 players entered the transfer portal. Still, for the most part, nearly all entries are understandable and based on lack of playing time due to expiring eligibility. Weigman, who was replaced by Reid at the end of the year, is looking for a fresh start.
If 2025 is the year to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, Elko and his staff will have to make as many moves as possible at nearly every position over the next two months. Below are the top five position groups that Elko should attack with portals.
6
quarterback
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Connor Weigman and Jalen Henderson have entered the transfer portal, but it is highly doubtful that either will return next season. As such, Marcel Reed is the presumed starter, with freshmen Brady Hart and Eli Mokos theoretically sitting behind sophomore Miles O’Neal.
If Elko and OC Colin Klein feel safe from a depth standpoint and need another veteran arm to challenge for the lead in the fall, there will be plenty of options available in the portal.
5
offensive line
Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, 45, plays Texas A&M quarterback during the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Pressure on Marcel Reid (10 years old).
On paper, four of the five starters on Texas A&M’s offensive line are scheduled to return, but that depends on the status of starting left tackle Trey Zuhn regarding the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as starting right tackle Dame Treas Crownover. It may become a hot topic.
In terms of depth, Elko and O-line coach Adam Cushing have signed six offensive line contracts in the 2025 class, and just from a talent standpoint, five-star offensive tackle Lamont Rodgers may be too good to keep off the field. If Zuhn declares for the draft, he will likely start at left tackle.
If Elko and Cushing want to add another tackle or guard, their options may be slim after sophomore Hunter Erb enters the transfer portal.
4
Cornerback/Safety (Secondary)
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Last offseason, Mike Elko sent B.J. Mays and Jadon Hill to one-year rentals, while Donovon Sanders and former five-star Dez Rix were on a developmental trajectory to improve their snap shots in 2025. They added five cornerbacks from the transfer portal knowing that they had a lot to offer.
Ultimately, with the loss of Mays and Hill, Elko will reportedly bring in cornerback Julian Humphrey, a transfer from Georgia. He nearly committed to the Aggies last offseason before returning to Athens. It’s also not inconceivable that cornerback Tyreek Chappell could be subject to a medical redshirt.
From a safety standpoint, Dalton Brooks, Marcus Ratcliffe and Bryce Anderson are all scheduled to return, with Trey Jones, who played in a rotation role this season, the only one out at this point. Still, this unit could use another veteran body.
3
tight end
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OC Colin Klein’s scheme relies on tight ends in both the running and passing game. Although the Aggies added several players from the transfer portal, the position was not overwhelming, especially towards the end of the season.
Sophomore tight end Theo Merrin-Oerstrom deserves credit for his career 100-yard receiving game in the win over New Mexico State. But the sophomore dropped a third-down conversion attempt and, against Texas, completely changed the game by whiffing on a blocking attempt on a fourth-down rush attempt.
This group needs more talent, and Marcel Reed needs a big, reliable target in the passing game. As of now, Ohrstrom and Donovan Green, who have not been on the field this season, are expected to return. If Green is fully healthy, there is playmaking potential, but Elko should pursue former Arkansas tight end Luke Hasz in the portal.
2
defense line
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Texas A&M’s defensive line is in wait-and-see mode, with defensive ends Nick Skorton and Shemar Stewart deciding their NFL futures. A&M’s run defense is borderline anemic in the second half of the season, and the team needs to shore up its defensive line to fill the gaps.
Skorton is more likely than Stewart to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, but Elco and his staff will need to find a run-stopper acquired with a tender after Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy enters the transfer portal However, the number of nominations is limited.
On the edge, Cassius Howell will return after his first season with the Aggies, where he recorded 35 tackles and three sacks. However, LSU transfer Edge Dashawn Womack is an interesting option. His SEC experience would make him an easy plug-and-play option.
1
wide receiver
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If Texas A&M’s offense is to take the next step and be the reason the Aggies win games regardless, Elko needs to add as many wide receivers as possible to fill out the roster this spring.
Even before the portal officially opened, a lot of talent has entered the fold, including former Kentucky receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key. At the same time, former Texas Tech wideout Micah Hudson is familiar with the program.
The Aggies took a step in the right direction by signing five-star wide receiver Jerome Miles to the 2025 recruiting class. But he needs more explosive run-after-catch ability to join rising sophomore Terry Bassey and sporadic starter Noah Thomas.
For Marcel Reed to reach his full potential, he needs a reliable option in the passing game.
