Mike Elko confirms junior WR's 'explosive' preseason

Entering his third season at the helm, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko spoke at length this week ahead of the Aggies' 2026 season opener vs. Missouri State on Saturday night, as the revamped roster is one of the deepest during Elko's tenure, while the return of starting quarterback Marcel Reed provides OC Holmon Wiggins with a much cleaner pathway towards success as the first-year playcaller.

Even after losing star wide receiver KC Concepcion, who was selected 24th overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2026 NFL Draft, the return of junior Mario Craver, combined with the addition of Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton, fills out one of the deepest receiver rooms in the SEC.

While both players stood out in fall camp, former five-star prospect Terry Bussey's transformation this offseason has been impressive to witness, but until the games are played, how he'll be used is still up in the air; ahead of Saturday's opener, Bussey was listed as the backup Z receiver behind redshirt sophomore Ashton Bethel-Roman.

The expectation is that Bussey will see substantial playing time, especially if the Aggies get out to a large lead early in the game to get nearly every active player on the field. On Wednesday, during the weekly Aggie Football Hour, Mike Elko praised Bussey's performance during fall camp and confirmed that the junior wideout certainly impressed over the last three weeks.

"You have seen a much more explosive version of himself in fall camp."

If Bussey pans out, starting quarterback Marcel Reed will be throwing to the deepest wide receiver corps in the SEC and should match his 2025 production, with a chance to break several passing records in the process. Texas A&M will host Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6:00 p.m., and the game will air on ESPN.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Mike Elko confirms junior WR's 'explosive' preseason