Texas A&M has seemingly regressed in several areas this year, but one in which they have made a jump is their special teams play. In a dark irony, the Achilles' Heel from last year's team has actually been one of the few strengths that the Aggies have had on their team from this year, which is a bitter pill to swallow in some ways.
As evidence of that, Texas A&M punter Tyler White— who escaped a lot of criticism for his down year in 2025 thanks to the place kicking game being so bad— was named as the Ray Guy Punter of the Week this week thanks to his performance agains the LSU Tigers. He had plenty of opportunities to boom some kicks in Death Valley, and he did a great job when called upon— so this is well-deserved for him.
It should also be said that Bravion Rogers contributed mightily to this effort with his abilities as a gunner. Rogers, a former highly-rated recruit out of La Grange, Texas, has been excelling in punt coverage, and any time a returner tried to get loose for the Tigers, he was there to bring them down.
Tyler White's punting honor is well-deserved but faint comfort for Aggie fans
As strong of a performance as White had, Aggie fans would no doubt much prefer if he were on the field a lot less than he has been. While nothing should be taken away from what White has achieved with this honor— and, truly, he should get strong consideration for the actual award come year's end— it also serves as a bitter reminder for A&M fans of just how bad the offense has been.
This is compounded by the fact that the special teams from last year was simply so bad. KC Concepcion's punt returns were really the only bright spot: the place kicking was flat-out horrendous and cost the Aggies a chance to advance in the playoffs, and White's performance was subpar compared to his standards as well. Had the excellent play of White so far this season, as well as that of Olano in the kicking game, been in place last year, the Aggies could have had a chance to move forward in the Playoff rather than sustaining that gutting loss to Miami.
That said, this is a team that is completely without an identity right now, so they need to find what they do well and lean on that. White is a clear example of what the Aggies are currently doing well: he's executing his job with aplomb every time he is called upon.
Pair his ability to aid the Aggies in the field-position game with a rushing attack that is looking increasingly like it can do something for this offense, and A&M may be leaning more into a throwback offensive identity going forward— that is, if they truly are intending to develop their strategy around their strengths.
Add us as a preferred source on Google