COLLEGE STATION — After reaching its first College Football Playoff last season, the question for the 2026 Texas A&M football team is: What’s next?
Friday, the Aggies will begin to answer that question and more as spring football starts with the first of 15 practices, before their spring game on April 18.
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A&M is replacing 11 starters from last season with the No. 12-ranked transfer portal class and the No. 10 high school class. Of the 18 portal additions, six have starting experience with an SEC program.
MORE: Texas A&M basketball draws 10th seed in NCAA Tournament
What will this group will look like a year removed from its first 11-win season since 2012? What position battles could emerge?.
We analyze five questions facing Texas A&M football ahead of spring football:
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5 questions for Texas A&M football entering spring practice
Top position battles: S, OL
With the influx of experienced talent, spring practices seem filled with emerging position battles. The Aggies bring back both starting safeties, Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe, along with experienced depth players Bryce Anderson and Myles Davis. Still, one of A&M’s top portal additions was Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard, the brother of NFL Pro Bowler Kevin Byard.
Byard finished the 2025 season with 85 tackles, one interception and eight tackles for loss and figures to be strongly in the mix to start for the Aggies.
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While Anderson is mentioned as a safety piece and has spent the last two years at the position for the Aggies, he started his career as a nickel cornerback, and there is a belief he may be heading there again in 2026. If so, that would intensify the competition between him and last year’s portal addition Jordan Shaw, as the duo aims to replace Tyreek Chappell after his eligibility expires.
The entire offensive line will face a tough challenge. Aside from interior offensive lineman Mark Nabou Jr., the Aggies aim to replace four starters along their front.
Former Alabama offensive lineman Wilkin Formby is anticipated to step in at right tackle, but the outcome of spring and fall practice will determine if that happens. Coen Echols and Tyree Adams from LSU, along with Trovon Baugh from South Carolina, are also expected to compete for starting roles.
However, redshirt sophomore Robert Bourdon, who played in all 14 games, has a chance to compete for a starting position.
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Can QB Marcel Reed reach another level?
Undeniably, A&M quarterback Marcel Reed made a significant leap in 2025. The Aggies’ signal-caller achieved career highs in completion percentage (62.1%), passing yards (3,169) and touchdown passes (25). He was a Heisman candidate for most of the season, accruing just six turnovers and 28 total touchdowns over the first 10 games.
The question facing Reed is whether he can reach another level that makes them a genuine national title contender.
Marcel Reed (10) of Texas A&M runs with the ball in the first quarter against Miami during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
A&M is replacing its top wide receiver, four of its five starting offensive linemen and three running backs, including starter Le’Veon Moss. Former offensive coordinator Collin Klein, who is now the head coach of his alma mater Kansas State, designed the offense around Reed’s strengths by emphasizing a solid running game and strong veteran protection up front.
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What does it look like for Reed now that there are sweeping changes across the board? Can he play better in November, where he’s struggled to a 4-4 record over the past two years as A&M’s schedule stiffens?
Holmon Wiggins, the new play-caller
Perhaps the biggest question mark is the new offensive coordinator, Holmon Wiggins.
It will be Wiggins’ first time as a play-caller, and he is replacing Klein, who lifted the Aggies to the fourth-best offense in the SEC along with a top-three rushing attack in 2025.
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What does Wiggins look for in an offensive attack? What are his philosophical beliefs? With over 14 years of experience coaching the wide receiver position, he might approach the offense from the outside in, focusing on Reed and the passing attack with weapons on the edge.
Isaiah Horton (1) of Alabama celebrates after a touchdown in the second half during a 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against Oklahoma at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Dec. 19, 2025 in Norman, Okla. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)
CFP/Getty Images
The Aggies lost KC Concepcion to the NFL draft and quickly added Isaiah Horton, the No. 2 transfer portal wide receiver from Alabama, to replace him. Klein was big into “12 personnel,” a grouping that featured two tight ends and one running back. Will the Aggies continue to rely on a strong running game and a power offense that took advantage of a mobile quarterback?
Spring practice could provide a clearer look into Wiggins’ mind.
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MORE: Texas A&M football draws 13 invites to 2026 NFL Combine, more than Ohio State, Texas
Did A&M hit in the transfer portal again?
Nine of A&M’s 22 Week 1 starters in 2025 were portal additions. Whether from last offseason or ahead of Mike Elko‘s first year in 2024, the Aggies have found talent from other programs and brought them in as impact players.
Concepcion and defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim made a significant impact in one season. Pass rusher Cashius Howell and cornerback Will Lee III, were multi-year contributors and played a crucial role in A&M’s recent success.
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Spring ball will give everyone their first look at portal players like Horton, who is the first true “X” receiver the Aggies have had in a decade-plus. It will also offer a chance to see a rebuilt pass rush, with six players replaced by five new additions.
MORE: 4 key questions Texas A&M football must address, including Marcel Reed’s ceiling
Year 3 under Mike Elko
The rise of A&M under Elko is clear. From eight wins and a Las Vegas Bowl appearance to 11 victories and a spot in the CFP in Year 2, the expectations keep growing for the Aggies’ head coach. Especially when considering he inked a new six-year extension in November.
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What does 2026 look like and how does the program continue to progress? Will Elko set national-title goals in spring? Will he reveal anything about major position battles or players’ development?
With rumors swirling about other programs showing interest in him, Elko has proven his commitment to building in Aggieland.
Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko watches the NCAA Division I volleyball playoff game against TCU at Reed Arena on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Elko has discussed maintaining a standard of producing NFL talent each year while also continuing the fight for a national championship since he arrived in College Station.
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Despite all the success, the key question won’t be about spring as much as about late fall, where A&M is 19-7 under Elko and 0-2 against his main rival.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.catalina@hearst.com.