Texas A&M is going to have to reload at several important spots in the 2026 season. After having ten players selected in the NFL draft, and several more contributors head out as UDFA signings, some new faces will have to step up.
Here are three names that Texas A&M fans should watch closely heading into the upcoming season who are poised to have a major breakout.
Three breakout players for Texas A&M fans to watch going into 2026 season
DE Marco Jones
The defensive end from California was getting a lot of buzz last offseason, and that has only increased this offseason. Last year, of course, he was behind a guy like Cashius Howell, so he didn't get a lot of snaps in the grand scheme of things— but he was still out there making an impact in some crucial moments as a true freshman.
Jones is my projection to start opposite Anto Saka on the other side of the line, so he should have plenty of opportunity in the upcoming season to show his stuff. He's not the same kind of player as Howell is, so don't expect the same number of sacks as the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year— at least not in his sophomore season.
That said, Jones has a chance to be a bit of a more complete defensive end than Howell did this past year. For all of his pass-rush prowess, Howell could get a bit washed out against the run, but Jones is a good bit more stout and shouldn't have that issue. He'll rack up some video game numbers in the upcoming year.
K David Olano
Is it a strange move to include a kicker on this list? After the way last year went in this department for Texas A&M football, not by half. Olano was one of the biggest transfers for the Aggies when all is said and done, as Aggie fans now know well just what it can cost their team if they have an inaccurate or rattled player at the position.
Had Texas A&M had a kicker who was more locked in last season, they might have walked away from the Miami game with a win rather than a loss. This is one area of the team where you simply cannot afford to have a player with so many question marks, so addressing this was a great move by Mike Elko.
We got to see some limited action out of Olano in the spring game, but he kicked much more confidently and accurately than we've seen in some time in College Station. Hopefully, he carries that into the upcoming season.
RB KJ Edwards
Texas A&M has a lot of talent at the running back spot, and the top two players at the beginning of the year will no doubt be Rueben Owens and Jamarion Morrow. However, fans should definitely keep an eye on the man wearing no. 0 for the Aggies as the season wears on.
KJ Edwards had a legendary high school football career for Carthage, exceeding 2085 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on an unbelievable 13.8 yards per carry. He was good for a big play nearly every time he got the ball in his hands, in other words, and fans shouldn't be surprised if he is making them soon in the Maroon and White.
He may not be tearing up the turf (or grass, I guess) in week one for the Aggies, but he'll be a real weapon for them by the time the season ends. Watch his development closely under Trooper Taylor— he'll be one of the best running backs in the country by the time his career is over.
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