ESPN names under-the-radar player for Texas A&M entering 2026 season
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The Texas A&M Aggies had a great 2025 season under head coach Mike Elko, finishing 11-2 and making their first College Football Playoff appearance.
However, even with all that success, the season still felt a little empty when all was said and done. There was no trip to the SEC Championship Game, as a loss to rival Texas in the final week of the regular season spoiled that dream. And the Playoff appearance was a dud, as the Aggies fell at home to eventual runner-up Miami in Round 1 by an ugly 10-3 final score.
Still, Elko’s squad will be a force to be reckoned with once again in 2026. QB Marcel Reed is back. The receiving corps is loaded, led by Mario Craver and Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton. The offensive line has been rebuilt through the portal. The defense should be solid once again.
And in the backfield, it’s Rueben Owens II’s time to shine. ESPN’s Dave Wilson named Owens as the under-the-radar player for the Aggies entering 2026:
Under-the-radar player: RB Rueben Owens II. Owens wasn’t under the radar as a recruit, rushing for more than 7,000 yards and 100 TDs and becoming one of the most coveted prospects in the 2023 class. But he has yet to reach his potential during his A&M career because of injuries. Owens led all SEC freshmen in 2023 in all-purpose yards with 743 but suffered a foot injury in a scrimmage in 2024 and was limited to 66 yards in two games before running for 639 last year. In 28 career games, he has topped 20 carries just once, last year against Mississippi State, running for 142 yards. At full speed, Owens has star potential.
If Reed takes another step forward at QB and Owens manages to stay healthy, this Texas A&M offense has a chance to be elite. We’ll get our first look at the Aggies on Sept. 5, when Missouri State makes the trip to Kyle Field.
Can Texas A&M make a run at the SEC title this fall? Kalshi gives the Aggies a 7% chance currently:
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Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
