Assessing Texas A&M's running back room after latest transfer addition

Texas A&M's 2026 roster is nearly complete, barring any last-minute additions, as third-year coach Mike Elko and his staff are coming off the program's final spring scrimmage during the Maroon & White Game, and will enter the summer with a better understanding of where the Aggies need to improve once preseason practice begins in early August.

In the backfield, it was revealed on Thursday that the Aggies landed a commitment from transfer running back DD Murray, who is the brother of current freshman defensive tackle DJ Sanders. A former three-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Murray was not highly sought after and ended up committing to Arkansas State, but he did not see the field during his freshman season.

However, Murray's high school production can't be understated: 3,935 yards and 65 touchdowns in 29 career games, averaging 9.2 yards per carry and 100.9 yards per game, make him one of the more intriguing options in the running back room, which requires some depth.

After not seeding the field in 2025, Murray enters College Station with four seasons of eligibility and will make his way to campus with an eye on bulking up and enhancing his skillset, which shouldn't be tough now that he'll be playing with his brother for the first time since their high school days at Bellville.

How will Murray fit into an already somewhat established rotation? Led by senior Rueben Owens and ascending sophomore Jamarion Morrow, redshirt freshman Tiger Riden and freshmen KJ Edwards and Carsyn Baker serve as backup options.

Could Murray work his way into the lineup? That remains to be seen, but his high school production shows a versatile athlete who also recorded 17 passes for 447 yards and eight touchdowns during his prep career, and could see the field during the season opener vs. Missouri State if the game gets out of hand late.

Either way, the running back depth has been an issue the last two seasons, and Murray's additions at least provide new OC Holmon Wiggins a solid floor during his first year as the playcaller.