ESPN predicts Texas A&M's 2026 quarterback room
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Texas A&M’s 2026 quarterback room is more than likely solidified after head coach Mike Elko added 18 players from the transfer portal, but after making zero changes to the quarterback and running back rooms, Elko sent a clear message to the fan base that he feels good regarding the depth behind starting signal caller Marcel Reed and incoming junior running back Rueben Owens.
After sophomore quarterback Miles O’Neill transferred to North Carolina late last month, Texas A&M’s QB depth chart will feature plenty of youth, which has raised reasonable questions heading into the 2026 season.
Days before the transfer portal opened, plenty of interesting options to back up Marcel Reed became available, including former A&M recruiting target and Oregon quarterback Austin Novosad, who, under the radar, committed to Bowling Green and will more than likely earn the starting quarterback job going into the 2026 season.
Novosad could have easily come in and earned the No. 2 job, but based on Elko’s comments before the 2025 season regarding reserve quarterback Brady Hart, the coaching staff fully trusts the former four-star Michigan flip, who is already adjusted to the offensive scheme, which likely won’t change too much under new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins.
Even more so, Mike Elko elevated Joey Lynch to the program’s new quarterbacks coach, who already shares a deep history with Marcel Reed from their high school playing days, while Brady Hart is already familiar with his coaching style.
O’Neill’s decision to transfer to North Carolina made sense, knowing that the Massachusetts native was looking for a starting job after two seasons as the backup, while Hart still has time to develop. This week, ESPN writers Eli Lederman, Max Olson, and Adam Rittenberg released their predictions for Texas A&M’s 2026 QB room, and to no surprise, they see Marcel Reed returning as the starter.
“Despite some struggles at the end of the season, Reed still had an excellent 2025 season — his first full year as QB1 after taking over the top job down the stretch in 2024. He helped Texas A&M to a record 11-0 start and triggered a big-play offense, averaging 13.5 yards per completion with a 360-yard performance at Notre Dame and a 439-yard output against South Carolina. Reed threw multiple touchdown passes nine times during the 11-0 start before having no touchdowns and four interceptions in losses to Texas and Miami. He added 493 rushing yards and six scores. Greater consistency in big games is the next step — Reed threw 12 interceptions — but the junior will enter the fall as one of the nation’s most experienced quarterbacks.”
Yes, consistency, especially in the pocket and against better defenses, is key to taking the next step and helping the Aggies progress past the first round of the College Football Playoff. His 2025 stats speak for themselves, but Reed’s performance in the “big games” was less than stellar, raising plenty of questions.
Incoming freshman quarterback Helaman Casuga is another name to watch, bringing in a ton of raw talent, but he will likely serve as the third-string option, needing at least two seasons to learn Holmon Wiggins’ scheme.
“Following Reed’s return, backup Miles O’Neill entered the portal, meaning Texas A&M will have to reset its depth in the quarterback room. Brady Hart appeared in two games as a true freshman, completing 5 of 10 pass attempts. Texas A&M also signed Helaman Casuga, a dual-threat quarterback from Utah who ranked just inside the SC Next 300 for 2026.”
Casuga could surprise all of us and outduel Brady Hart for the No. 2 job, while the final name to watch is former three-star quarterback Eli Morcos, whose ability as a runner is intriguing, and could vie for the No. 3 job with Casuga.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN predicts Texas A&M football’s 2026 quarterback room
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