Texas A&M’s kicking game back in 2025 was only a few degrees better than a complete and total disaster— the case can easily be made that it alone is what cost the Aggies their playoff game against the Miami Hurricanes. There were some clutch moments early in the season, like in the game against Notre Dame, but after that point, it was definitely a sore spot.
Fast forward to today, and the Aggies are in a much better spot. The addition of true freshman kicker Asher Murray has made enough waves that MIke Elko has specifically shouted him out from the podium— but the guy who most are buzzing about is the Aggies’ transfer from Illinois, David Olano.
The former Fighting Illini kicker came to Texas A&M as one of the most accurate and dependable kickers in the nation— exactly what the Aggies needed after years of worrying about range and reliability from the options they had on their roster. Randy Bond had his moments, but both he and Jared Zirkel completely wilted in the big moments last season— it looks now, though, like the Aggies will have a guy on the roster that can completely assuage whatever leftover worries fans still have.
David Olano named to Lou Groza award watchlist in huge switch up for Texas A&M
Olano had carved out quite a reputation for himself up in Champaign, and Illini fans were not happy to see him go— and it’s understandable why, as he has been named to the preseason watchlist for the Lou Groza award, given yearly to the nation’s best kicker.
On the radar for the Lou Groza Award.@DavidOlano_ | https://t.co/2Y70PWAnna pic.twitter.com/83mJiz9yvn
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) August 7, 2026
If the Aggies can simply become reliable once again at the kicking spot, the rest of the SEC had better watch out— it was really the biggest weakness, bar none, on the playoff team that the Aggies fielded last year. There were far more possessions than there should have been where Texas A&M came away empty thanks to a missed or blocked kick, and if that changes, it could shift the complexion of this season quite a bit.
Texas A&M finished last in the SEC last year in kicking percentage, going a measly 16-26 on the year. It’s honestly really surprising that they were able to get to 11 wins with such an unreliable aspect of their team, but the offense and defense were so good that they made up for that deficit.
The overlooked effect of such a bad kicking game, of course, is the way that it plays into the coach’s decision-making. If the Aggies are facing a 4th and 6 from the 35 yard line, the ineffectiveness of the kicking game could have caused Elko to opt for a risky 4th down call rather than trotting out an effective kicker to get some points on the board. This will provide the Aggies more options in the upcoming year, in other words.
Hopefully, Olano plays well enough for the Aggies that he is on the finalist list by the time the season comes to a close. If that’s the case, I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing the Aggies right back in playoff contention come November.
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