ESPN predicts star freshman RB's fit in Texas A&M's offense
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Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his revamped coaching staff will welcome 26 signees from the 2026 recruiting class, headlined by five-star running back KJ Edwards, who is slated to earn a key rotational spot as soon as he hits the field this fall. With spring practices set to begin next Friday, the media will be allowed to film a portion of the five practices, providing insight into what the freshman back has to offer.
Choosing the Aggies over the Texas Longhorns, KJ Edwards was widely considered the best overall running back prospect due to his versatility as a pass catcher, something that will be immediately utilized during his freshman season, and provide starting quarterback Marcel Reed another weapon among an already established wide receiver rotation.
Joining a running back room led by senior Rueben Owens, and sophomores Jamarion Morrow and Tiger Riden, Edwards and fellow freshman Carsyn Baker provide immediate depth, while Baker, who was a late flip from Florida, could redshirt to focus on adding more weight to his frame after working with S&C coach Tommy Moffitt.
Focused on Edwards, ESPN writers Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill provided their official scouting analysis for the standout back, feeling that his skill set should complement Rueben Owens’ running style, and provide first-year offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins more leeway to experiment with different play calls to get Edwards on the field.
Texas A&M is clearly shifting its running back profile to smaller and more explosive with Edwards. Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens II each has 30-plus pounds on him, and that contrast gives the Aggies change-of-pace flexibility. At 5-10 and 180 pounds, Edwards brings a blend of versatility, pass-receiving skills, sudden change of direction and the ability to make people miss in space.
He’s not built to be a downhill load carrier, but he’s ideal in inside and outside zone schemes, hitting creases and exploiting cutback lanes. Edwards has the traits to be dangerous on angle routes, screens and perimeter touches, which pairs well with modern spread looks and RPO-heavy game plans. His first live action could come on special teams as a return specialist, where his quickness and acceleration can flip field position.
If the newly assembled offensive line, including four SEC starters from the transfer portal, holds up, Texas A&M’s running game, which averaged nearly 200 yards per game last season, should at least match last season’s production, while Edwards provides more explosiveness in the open field.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN predicts RB KJ Edwards’ fit in Texas A&M’s offense
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