Texas A&M's Maroon & White Game concluded the spring season, showcasing new talent from 17 transfer players and 26 recruits. Key players like quarterback Marcel Reed and wide receiver Mario Craver will lead the offense, while the defense faces challenges after losing several starters.
Key points
Texas A&M added 17 players from the transfer portal
26 signees joined from the 2026 recruiting class
Marcel Reed and Mario Craver lead the offense
Defense faces challenges after losing key players
Daymion Sanford suffered a lower-body injury
Texas A&MAlabama
Texas A&M's Maroon & White Game served as the final scrimmage of the spring season, sending the Aggie roster into the offseason with plenty of questions, but several answers after adding 17 players from the transfer portal, paired with 26 signees from the 2026 recruiting class.
From the 2025 roster, redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed and junior star wide receiver Mario Craver lead the offense, while the departure of four of five starting offensive linemen will likely dictate how successful this unit will be, especially if Reed isn't given time in the pocket to take advantage of his deep receiver rotation.
On defense, losing unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell and defensive linemen Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim may cause some early headaches, but third-year head coach Mike Elko is confident that the additions of transfer Anto Saka, CJ Sims, and Angelo McCullum will provide senior DJ Hicks plenty of talent to work with in the defensive trenches.
However, the early returns from Saturday's game are sadly marred by senior linebacker Daymion Sanford's lower-body injury suffered just moments before halftime, leading to Elko's post-game quote cofirming the injury, but did not go into specifics.
Still, Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton reeled in a handful of of catches in tight coverage, and after last season's kicking woes, transfer kicker David Olano and freshman Asher Murray combined for a perfect 5-5 from the field. As we await more details regarding Sanford's injury status, here are five takeaways from Texas A&M's Maroon & White Game.
Q&A
What were the key takeaways from Texas A&M's 2026 Maroon & White Game?
The game highlighted new talent acquisitions, the performance of key players, and concerns over offensive line depth and defensive losses.
Who are the standout players for Texas A&M after the Maroon & White Game?
Standout players include quarterback Marcel Reed, wide receiver Mario Craver, and transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton.
What impact will the loss of Cashius Howell have on Texas A&M's defense?
Losing Cashius Howell may create early challenges for the defense, but new transfers are expected to help fill the gaps.
What is the status of Daymion Sanford's injury after the Maroon & White Game?
Daymion Sanford suffered a lower-body injury during the game, and further details regarding his status are awaited.
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Texas A&M's new offensive line passed the first test
Sep 6, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Robert Bourdon (70) and wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Robert Bourdon (70) and wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images
It wasn't perfect, but from my vantage point, Texas A&M's offensive line, now featuring four or five new starters on both the Maroon and White teams, performed well in pass protection, allowing Marcel Reed and Brady Hart to read through the progressions, and making accurate throw for most of the afternoon.
On the Maroon team, Lamont Rogers at left tackle, Tyler Thomas at left guard, Mark Nabou at center, Trovon Baugh at right guard, and Robert Bourdon at right tackle, looked like the potential starting unit in 2026, minus LSU transfer Tyree Adams and Alabama transfer Wilkins Formby, who are both expected to compete for starting jobs.
However, much of the success came on the ground, opening big holes for running back Jamarion Morrow, which led to several explosive runs:
"They have been great from the start. When it comes to the run game, they are just moving people. It seems like they gel well."
If the starting O-line rotation can be above average in pass protection, but even better on the ground, Texas A&M's offensive attack under new OC Holmon Wiggins will be much more difficult to stop.
Texas A&M's linebacker rotation is in good hands despite Daymion Sanford's injury
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Noah Mikhail #16 of the Texas A&M Aggies at the line of scrimmage in the second half against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field on November 22, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Noah Mikhail #16 of the Texas A&M Aggies at the line of scrimmage in the second half against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field on November 22, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Daymion Sanford potentially being lost for the 2026 season less than five months before the Aggies open the year vs. Missouri State is troubling, but with sophomore Noah Mikhail, junior Jordan Lockhart, and transfer Ray Coney serving as the "next man up," the Aggies are in solid shape to withstand Sanford's absense.
On Saturday, all three players continued to look comfortable in Elko and Lyle Hemphill's system, as Noah Mikhail picked off freshman QB Helaman Casuga after dropping into zone coverage and reading the young signal caller's eyes. Learning "a lot" from former starting linebacker Taurean York, Mikhail is ready to prove that his offseason work will pay off.
"Trying to be intentional in the way I move and command the defense. I learned a lot from (Taurean) York last year."
Jordan Lockhart's sideline-to-sideline athleticsm, paired with Ray Coney's added size, vision and background as a consistent run stopper provide Elko and linebackers coach Travis Williams plenty to work with while they wait for Sanford to return.
Are the Aggies' kicking issues a thing of the past?
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - OCTOBER 04: David Olano #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 04, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - OCTOBER 04: David Olano #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 04, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Texas A&M's 0-2 finish after starting 11-0 can be partially blamed on the kicking game, while the program's rich history of developing NFL kickers and punters lives on, last season's performance was a disaster, which included missed kicks in the first round College Football Playoff loss to Miami.
This offseason, Mike Elko aimed to solve this problem, adding transfer kicker David Olano, combined with freshman Asher Murray, who, during Saturday's scrimmage, combined to hit kicks from 53, 39, 33, 29, and 28 yards, finishing a perfect 5-5 from the field.
Texas A&M's 2026 schedule is tough, including road games against LSU, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, and in close games, flipping the field with a 45-plus yard field goal could be the difference between winning and losing.
Transfer WR Isaiah Horton is as good as advertised
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) attempts to make a catch as Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ellis Robinson IV (1) defends during the second quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) attempts to make a catch as Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ellis Robinson IV (1) defends during the second quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Texas A&M's biggest offseason addition lived up to the hype this spring, as former Alabama star wide receiver Isaiah Horton adds immediate size to an already impressive rotation, led by junior Mario Craver, while freshman Aaron Gregory has also stood out this spring.
Last season, starting quarterback Marcel Reed was gifted Craver and KC Concepcion from the transfer portal, and while both players combined for nearly 2,000 yards, the lack of size at the X receiver spot was notable, condencing the passing game late in the season, which proved to be an issue in losses to Texas and Miami.
On Saturday, Horton's size advantage and impressive hands were on full display after hauling in a back-shoulder throw from quarterback Brady Hart, while his vision and quick separation in coverage provided both backup quarterbacks a large windown to target the transfer.
Starting quarterback Marcel Reed has already developed a rapport with Horton this spring, and should result in Aggie passing game finding more success on 50/50 balls, and allowing Mario Craver to thrive in the short passing attack.
Texas A&M RB Jamarion Morrow has taken the next step
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) and tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom (17) after a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) and tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom (17) after a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
I fully undertand if saying that a player has taken the "next step" is too vague for some, but given that state of the running back room, Morrow's ability to find the extra gear need to to reach his potential started last season after rushing for 182 yards and a touchdowns, while Mike Elko stated that the Tennessee native was "knicked up late last season.
"He got knicked up through the middle of spring. We got him healthy. He is really talented back... He was able to put some of that on display today, which was good to see."
"Talented" is an understatement, and after flipping the former four-star prospect from Missouri, Elko and new OC Holmon Wiggins have grand plans for the sophomore back, who, thanks to great blocking from the offensive line, ran with power and finnese, breaking off several explosive runs in the first half.
Senior Rueben Owens is the likely starter, but if Morrow is healthy and continues this level of play into the fall, I could easily see both players trade starting snaps.
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