Only one Texas A&M player placed in ESPN's Top 100 CFB player rankings

Once again, Texas A&M's 2026 roster enters the new campaign highly undervalued, as junior wide receiver Mario Craver was the only Aggie selected in USA TODAY's Top 100 college football player rankings after reeling in 59 receptions, 917 yards, and 4 touchdowns during his first season in College Station, and if you asked anyone on Mike Elko's coaching staff, several other returning starters and transfer additions deserve national credit.

Mario Craver's importance to the Aggies' chances of making it back to the College Football Playoff can't be ignored, as redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw for a career-high 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last year, enters his second full starting season with an already established connection with Craver, who will likely start in the slot for most of the season.

With the addition of Alabama transfer WR Isaiah Horton, who recorded 42 receptions for 511 yards and 8 touchdowns during his lone season with the Crimson Tide, the team gains critical size at 6'4", pairing well with Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman, and former five-star Terry Bussey, who has also stood out throughout preseason camp.

This week, ESPN released its own Top 100 college football player rankings, placing Mario Craver, the lone Texas A&M player selected, at No. 86, as senior writer Adrea Adelson explained.

"Craver had a breakout year in his first season with Texas A&M in 2025, finishing second on the team in receptions and receiving yards in nine starts. He also added 11 rushes for 81 yards with one touchdown. Just check the tape from the Notre Dame game -- in which he had more than 200 yards receiving -- for what he can do with the ball in his hands. With Marcel Reed and a veteran receiver group returning, expectations are high for the Aggies to return to the CFP."

Other Texas A&M players who could, and should have been, on this list include Marcel Reed, Northwestern transfer Edge Anto Saka, and linebacker Daymion Sanford, the first names that come to mind, knowing their unique skill sets, NFL potential, and vast importance to the program's chances of making it back to the CFP.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Only one Texas A&M player placed in ESPN's Top 100 CFB player rankings