With just two days remaining until Texas A&M's 2026 season opener against Missouri State, head coach Mike Elko is gearing up for a challenging campaign. This marks Elko's third year at the helm, and the Aggies are coming off a successful 2025 season that concluded with an impressive 11-2 record and the program's inaugural appearance in the College Football Playoff.
During the first Southeastern Conference (SEC) teleconference of the year on Wednesday, Elko addressed various topics, including the significant changes to the Aggies' roster. Earlier in the day, he also shared insights on 105.3 The Fan, where he provided a glimpse into his mindset as the season approaches.
A key narrative surrounding the Texas A&M roster this offseason has been the transition following the departures of star wide receiver KC Concepcion and unanimous All-American Edge rusher Cashius Howell. Both players were selected in the first and second rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, contributing to a record-setting total of 10 Aggies drafted this year. With approximately 65% of the roster returning from the previous season, alongside 17 new additions from the transfer portal and the incoming 2026 signing class, continuity has been a concern for fans and analysts alike.
To address the gaps left by Concepcion and Howell, Texas A&M has brought in Northwestern transfer Anto Saka and former Alabama receiver Isaiah Horton. Additionally, the offensive line will feature four new starters who must quickly develop chemistry as they adapt to the rigors of SEC play. Elko acknowledges the daunting nature of the new nine-game SEC schedule but emphasizes that preseason predictions hold little weight until teams take the field.
Reflecting on past seasons, Elko noted, "Last year in the offseason, nobody knew who Cashius Howell was, and every question I got was about replacing Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart, and Nic Scourton, and about how our schedule was brutal. This offseason has been the same thing." His comments highlight the cyclical nature of college football, where uncertainty often surrounds teams as they prepare for new challenges.
Despite being a lesser-known name nationally, Anto Saka has garnered attention from NFL scouts for his impressive performance in practice, demonstrating his ability to dominate against the run. Senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe has praised Saka's skills, and with support from sophomore Edge Marco Jones and senior defensive end T.J. Searcy, the Aggies' pass rush will require a collective effort to replicate last season's success.
Texas A&M's schedule features formidable opponents, including road games against LSU, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, culminating in a home matchup against Texas at the end of the season. However, as Elko points out, the true strength of these teams will only become clear as the season unfolds, similar to the uncertainty faced last year.
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