Texas A&M ranked top 12 in PFF's 'Way-too-early' 2026 rankings

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Texas A&M’s 2025 season ended in disappointment after falling to national runner-up Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff, but for coach Mike Elko, his second season at the helm was a massive success, finishing the season 11-2 and 7-1 in SEC play. After 13 players were invited to the 2026 NFL Combine, Elko’s preseason prediction came true.

Led by then redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed, transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, and unanimoous All-American senior edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M’s veteran roster was built to contend for a national championship, but poor run defense late in the year, combined with a running game that failed to find momentum after Le’Veon Moss’s injury ultimately ended the Aggies chances at making history.

While some feel the 2025 roster’s talent was wasted, Marcel Reed has plenty to improve on. With 17 transfer additions, led by Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton and Northwestern edge Anto Saka, the 2026 roster is well equipped to return to the CFP. However, how much Marcel Reed improves, combined with the four new starters on the offensive line, will likely dictate the Aggies’ success.

As soon as the offseason began, nearly every preseason ranking placed Texas A&M at No. 8, mainly due to the program’s success last season, and Pro Football Focus is equally high on the Aggies chances of making it back to the postseason, coming in at No. 12 (branding) in its “Way-too-early” top 25 ahead of the 2026 season.

“Texas A&M made its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance this past season before losing in the first round to Miami (FL). Mario Craver enters his junior year as one of the best wide receivers in college football. He’ll be catching passes from Marcel Reed, who’s back for another year at quarterback after a rollercoaster redshirt sophomore campaign. If he can be more consistent, the Aggies can make the playoff once again.”

PFF writer Max Chadwick is, like most of us, very high on Marcel Reed and Mario Craver’s connection, that is already established after connecting for over 900 yards and four touchdowns last season, and while asking Marcel Reed to be “more consistent” is somewhat vague, the redshirt junior must play better against the top defenses in the SEC, and work on throwing in tight windows and make better decisions, especially when the run game isn’t working.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M ranked No. 12 in PFF’s ‘Way-too-early’ 2026 rankings

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