Another practice session concluded Tuesday, signifying the Texas A&M Aggies are one day closer to kicking off the 2026 season against the Missouri State Bears at Kyle Field.
Wide receiver Mario Craver and veteran safety Marcus Ratcliffe appeared in front of the media for the first game-week press conference of the year. Craver ranked third in the SEC with 917 receiving yards in his first season donning the Aggie uniform, after transferring from Mississippi State. With KC Concepcion moving on to the NFL, Craver will be the leader of the wide receiving corps entering his junior campaign.
Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, Ratcliffe will be the anchor of a stacked secondary unit, as they look to repeat last year's success. While the unit, including
Ratcliffe, must work on forcing more turnovers in 2026, the Aggies ranked third in the conference with just 176.6 passing yards allowed per game.
Here are a few comments from Craver and Ratcliffe ahead of Texas A&M's season opener against Missouri State on Saturday:
Craver explains what Texas A&M is aiming to prove this year
"We haven't really won anything. We all want to get trophies in the building. I just want to go out there and have a good season," Craver said.
Craver discusses what a successful season would look like for him and his development as a wideout for the Aggies
"I don't have any ideal stats. The ball is going to go where it needs to go. National championship is the ideal season for me," Craver said.
Craver comments on why he believes Texas A&M can take a step forward and how they've developed their skill sets
"We're a smarter football team. Coach Elko has been raving on football IQ with the receivers, safety rotation, corners, blitzes. Our whole team is just smarter. We have a better team intelligence-wise and it's going to show," Craver said.
Craver on what he improved on this offseason
"Honestly just seeing what I'm going to get before I get it. Seeing the safety rotations, the fronts that I'm getting (and) the linebackers," Craver said. "Just trying to tell what coverage I'm going to get before I get it so I know how to setup my route and what timing I need to be.
Craver talks about the opportunity for the Aggies to make a statement in the season opener against the Bears on Saturday
"We definitely want to make a statement, but we're also taking it game by game. We want to go out there, execute, play fast (and) set a tone for the season," Craver said. "We're focused on Missouri State right now."
Ratcliffe explains what he wants to see from himself and the Aggies' defensive unit in the opening contest of 2026
"Just playing super hard, playing fast and everyone trying to get to the ball. Execution was a thing last year that sometimes bit us in the butt a little bit," Ratcliffe said. "Every single play, getting the execution right. Playing hard, playing fast and executing the right way.
Ratcliffe on what he envisioned when he transferred to College Station
"When I got here, I always envisioned me going to the NFL. That's always been a goal of mine. I'd say the way it worked out, I never really envisioned. There's always mountains, peaks and valleys that you never really see foresee," Ratcliffe said. "I'm super proud of the journey it took to get me where I am and I can't wait for the future and these upcoming 12 months."
Ratcliffe believes Texas A&M's defense can take another step forward this season
"Day in and day out we're not comfortable. We're not comfortable with where people rank us or with how people see us," Ratcliffe said. "If the defense has a good day, it doesn't really matter because the next day has to be a good day. If the offense has a good day, it's in the past (and) the offense has to have a good day again. I really see no complacency within us."
Ratcliffe on what the newcomers bring to the unit and who has impressed during fall camp
"There's a bunch. On the defensive side of the ball, I really like Anto (Saka) when I watch the film. He completely wrecks plays. If you try to run the ball to his side it's just going to get completely wrecked and the point of attack is going to get blown up," Ratcliffe said. "Offensive-wise, Isaiah Horton's going to have a great year this year. (He's) a huge target, huge catch radius."
Ratcliffe discusses what it means for him and the team to get back in Kyle Field in front of the 12th Man this weekend
"I'm very excited. I've been waiting for this moment since January, it's all I can think of," Ratcliffe said. "God-willing, this is my last year. Since January, I've been thinking about this every single day and it's finally here."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'No complacency within us': Texas A&M S, WR are hungry for more in 2026
