Texas A&M is entering one of its most important seasons in recent memory a roster full of new faces, first‑time SEC coordinators, and the pressure of maintaining momentum after last year’s breakthrough. With so much transition, the Aggies will lean heavily on veteran leadership to stabilize the program and uphold the standard being built under Mike Elko.
On Friday morning, the program announced that five players have been selected as team captains for the 2026 season, a group chosen directly by their peers. Each will wear a “C” on their uniform and serve as the internal voice of accountability, discipline, and culture as A&M navigates a season loaded with expectation.
It’s a balanced leadership core featuring three defensive captains and two offensive captains, blending experience, production, and presence. Reed steps into the role as the face of the offense and the program’s most important returning player, while Riley provides veteran steadiness in a tight end room and on special teams. Defensively, Sanford, Ratcliffe, and Brooks give A&M a trio of seasoned voices who have been through multiple SEC battles and understand the demands of the league.
With spring ball nearly complete, the Aggies will soon turn their attention to a 2026 campaign that begins with the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. Retaining that class through signing day and proving the program’s trajectory will require more than coaching. It will require internal leadership, daily discipline, and the ability to set and maintain the standard from within.
This is the group the locker room chose to carry that responsibility.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Five Texas A&M players selected as team captains for the 2026 season

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