Texas A&M is counting down the days to the 2026 season, and after wrapping up spring drills with the annual Maroon & White Game on April 18, head coach Mike Elko knows his retooled roster still has work to do before they can talk about contending for a national title. But there's plenty of reason for optimism in College Station.
With starting quarterback Marcel Reed returning and former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton now in the fold, the Aggies' offense is poised to at least match last season's scoring output—and likely surpass it. Horton's 6'4" frame gives the passing game a legitimate deep threat and a reliable red-zone target, adding a new dimension to the attack.
In the backfield, all eyes are on Rueben Owens. The former five-star prospect and current redshirt junior is officially the lead back after rushing for a career-high 639 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He stepped up after senior Le'Veon Moss went down for the year following the Aggies' home win over Florida. But consistency was an issue: after a breakout 102-yard, two-touchdown performance against Missouri, Owens averaged just over three yards per carry over the next three games and dropped multiple passes in the regular-season finale loss to Texas.
Now, Owens is determined to live up to his five-star billing. He's added healthy mass to his frame this offseason and is ready to lead the Aggie backfield alongside rising sophomore Jamarion Morrow, who many around the program view as the best one-cut runner on the roster. On Wednesday, ESPN's Dave Wilson named Owens his "under the radar" player to watch for Texas A&M, citing new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins' desire to run the ball more frequently next season.
"Owens wasn't under the radar as a recruit—he rushed for more than 7,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in high school and was one of the most coveted prospects in the 2023 class," Wilson noted. "But injuries have kept him from reaching his potential in College Station. He led all SEC freshmen in all-purpose yards in 2023 with 743 before suffering a foot injury in a scrimmage last year."
If Owens can stay healthy and find that early-season form, he could be the spark that takes Texas A&M's offense to the next level. For Aggies fans looking to rep their favorite player, keep an eye on No. 3 this fall—he might just be the breakout star you've been waiting for.