Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion walks the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M defensive lineman Cashius Howell walks the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed throws a pass during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M tight end Amari Niblack runs the ball during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Tyreek Chappell runs the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed throws a pass during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M safety Marcus Ratcliffe runs drills during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Tyreek Chappell walks the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III runs blocking drills during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M safety Marcus Ratcliffe runs drills during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Tyreek Chappell runs the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Tyreek Chappell runs the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Tyreek Chappell catches a ball during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Julian Humphrey runs drills during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim talks to team mates between drills during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M cornerback Julian Humphrey runs bocking drills during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion walks the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M defensive lineman Cashius Howell walks the field during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M football took the field for the first time in the 2025 season Wednesday with quarterback Marcel Reed fully embracing the leadership role bestowed upon him.
With the season opener a few weeks away, the Aggies have four practices during the first week, with an off day on Friday in between. Action resumes on Saturday, Sunday and Monday before their next day off on Tuesday. Media members were allowed to attend the first two practices Wednesday and Thursday, getting about 40 minutes to watch each day.
Article continues below this ad
Reporters aren’t permitted to observe competitive settings like one-on-one drills, seven-on-seven reps or 11-on-11 work. However, much can be learned from individual periods.
Here are some observations about the offense from the two days of action:
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed throws a pass during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
MORE: Texas A&M’s new receiver KC Concepcion aims for offense to be ‘best in SEC’
Article continues below this ad
Texas A&M football preseason practice observations: Offense
Marcel Reed
All eyes were on first-year starting quarterback Marcel Reed during his first practice as QB1.
Article continues below this ad
Reed was the first player on the field for both Day 1 and 2, and his interactions during drills demonstrate a player embracing his new leadership role. From being vocal between drills to making sure he was the first on the field for both sessions, Reed has begun to take the necessary steps that are expected of QB1.
On the field, he’s moving like a player confident in his second season under offensive coordinator Collin Klein. The Nashville, Tenn. native said he spent time in the offseason focusing on his throwing mechanics, honing his ability to be a true pocket passer and not just an athletic running threat.
“I was like ‘dang, he can actually spin it,'” wide receiver KC Concepcion said Tuesday. “I feel like a lot of people really don’t know that about him.”
Article continues below this ad
Le’Veon Moss: back on the field
The biggest piece of the Aggies offense last season was running back Le’Veon Moss. The SEC’s second-best rushing attack had a noticeable dropoff following Moss’ injury at South Carolina in Week 10. Moss averaged 7.6 yards per carry, while no other running back averaged more than 4.8 ypc.
Moss was out there for both days, showing the burst and strength that made him one of the conference’s best running backs.
He didn’t participate in every rep during the viewing period, but he wasn’t wearing a non-contact jersey either. He only had a leg sleeve on his healed knee and seemed fully engaged as he attempts to move past the injury that cut short his 2024.
Article continues below this ad
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion catches a ball during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
New wide receiver additions
Perhaps the most significant focus of talent addition to the A&M roster this offseason was in the wide receivers room. The combination of KC Concepcion and Mario Craver is expected to improve the Aggies’ passing attack, which ranked 13th in the conference at 210.3 yards per game.
On Tuesday, both looked as advertised.
Article continues below this ad
Concepcion was usually the first player in line during drills. He received praise from coaches for his effort in blocking drills and his clean technique in running his routes.
Craver looked quick and smooth in and out of his breaks and has been mentioned several times during the spring as one of the toughest assignments defensive backs have had to cover since his arrival.
“I was talking to coach (Mike) Elko this offseason, and I really told him Mario (Craver) is a guy we really need to get,” cornerback Will Lee III told reporters at SEC media day. “He was probably the hardest receiver I had guarded in the SEC last year. I feel like he’s really a top receiver in the league.”
Article continues below this ad
Texas A&M tight end Amari Niblack catches a ball during evening practice at the Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Revamped tight ends room
With Amari Niblack coming over from Texas, Nate Boerkircher from Nebraska and Micah Riley from Auburn, there is an influx of new players to intergrate into Klein’s offense. In the early stages, Boerkircher (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) has looked the most impressive as a complete tight end. He was primarily a blocking threat for the Cornhuskers, but he has also flashed as a receiving threat early on for the Aggies.
Article continues below this ad
Riley seemed to be on the receiving end of several passes from Reed. Whether that was a coincidence during drills or a calculated decision, the two have built some early chemistry.
A name that may not be the first one mentioned, but looks the part, is freshman Kiotti Armstrong.
Standing at 6-5 and weighing 275 pounds, Armstrong is the largest tight end on the roster. He’ll be someone to watch during preseason camp to see if he can impress enough to earn playing time.
Article continues below this ad
Veteran offensive line with high expectations
Much of the hopes of the Aggies’ offense lies on the shoulders of a veteran offensive line that is returning seven players in 2025.
A&M’s big fellas are healthy, with left tackle Trey Zuhn III, left guard Chase Bisontis, center Mark Nabou, right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams and right tackle Dametrious Crownover all working together for the first time since Week 1 of 2024. Nabou and Bisontis missed multiple games last season, and with both healthy the group as well-rounded as any in the nation.
Article continues below this ad
Gaining much insight in this position will be challenging without observing competitive periods, but there is a lot of excitement around this group as they aim to be one of the top units in the country.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.