Final Pro Football Focus grades after Texas A&M's CFP loss to Miami

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To put a cap on Texas A&M’s first-round exit in the College Football Playoff, falling to Miami 10-3, despite playing inside a sold-out Kyle Field, head coach Mike Elko and his veteran team ended the 2025 season on a low note, but no one can deny that this team achieved more than most of us expected after ending the regular season 11-1, and 7-1 in the SEC.

Still, starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s poor play, combined with Texas A&M’s shaky run defense, allowed Miami running back Mark Fletcher to rush for an alarming 172 yards, which ultimately ended the game after his 50-plus yard run set up the Hurricane’s lead-taking touchdown.

While the Aggies had a chance to tie the game, reaching the red zone with over 30 seconds remaining, Reed’s end-zone interception sealed the deal for the visitors and sent the Aggies into the offseason with back-to-back losses, similar to last season’s ending. Again, this season was not a failure by any means, and Mike Elko has already made several intriguing staff changes before the transfer portal opens.

After Saturday’s loss, and for the final time this season, Pro Football Focus released its final grades for Texas A&M’s offense and defense, which isn’t pretty in some areas, but surprisingly strong in others. Starting with the offense, here is how PFF graded the Aggies during their last game of the season.

Offense

Here are the top 8 grades for the offensive players:

  1. RB Le’Veon Moss: 68.3
  2. WR Izaiah Williams: 67.4
  3. WR Mario Craver: 65.8
  4. OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams: 65.7
  5. OL Mark Nabou Jr.: 61.7
  6. OL Trey Zuhn III: 60.9
  7. RB EJ Smith: 60.9
  8. OL Robert Bourdon: 60.0

Overall, these grades don’t tell the whole story, especially for senior running back Le’Veon Moss, who only played 19 snaps before leaving the game due to injury. At the same time, wide receiver Mario Craver, who recently signed a massive NIL deal to stay with the Aggies next season, recorded a team-high 92 yards on seven receptions and was attempting to make plays during every reception.

Marcel Reed, who completed 25/39 for 237 yards and two interceptions, finished with a poor 48.6 passing grade and a 79.2 rushing grade. Was this the worst game of his career? No, but certainly the most disappointing.

While the box score reports seven sacks allowed, PFF reports that Texas A&M’s offensive line only allowed two sacks, but 20 pressures. Left tackle Trey Zuhn III, whose pre-game comments regarding Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain’s effectiveness were used against him, finished with an impressive 84.1, by far the highest among the Aggie O-linemen.

Defense

Here are the top 8 grades for the defensive players:

  1. Edge Rylan Kennedy: 86.7
  2. S Dalton Brooks: 85.6
  3. DL Albert Regis: 78.5
  4. LB Taurean York: 77.2
  5. DL T.J. Searcy: 76.5
  6. LB Noah Mikhail: 74.7
  7. CB Will Lee III: 70.0
  8. LB Daymion Sanford: 69.2

Texas A&M’s defense, outside of the final drive that saw running back Mark Fletcher find a hole for 56 yards, setting up freshman WR Malachi Toney’s touchdown, was the bright spot for most of the game, especially safety Dalton Brooks. Leading the team with seven tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss, the junior is slated to return next season and become one of the defense’s leaders.

Recording three sacks and seven pressures, Miami quarterback Carson Beck got the ball out much faster in the second half, preventing unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell from making an impact. In the secondary, Brooks led the team with a prolific 88.7 coverage grade, followed by four players earning 70-plus coverage grades, and allowing just 103 yards on the day.

Still, a loss is a loss, but given the defensive struggles last season, this unit can only get better under new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, linebackers coach Travis Williams, and returning defensive line coach Elijah Williams, who are now focused on adding veteran talent from the transfer portal.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Final Pro Football Focus grades after Texas A&M’s CFP loss to Miami

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