Texas A&M's 2026 season-opener vs. Missouri State is less than a month away, and through three preseason practices, third-year coach Mike Elko and his revamped roster have looked more than the part, while junior wide receiver Terry Bussey, who reeled in a handful of one-handed catches, is finally living up to his five-star recruiting prowess after his first two seasons.
Throughout the offseason, the return of starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw for a career-high 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, has taken up much of the national oxygen from a coverage standpoint, while A&M's defense, especially the Aggies' loaded secondary, continues to look like the team's primary strength, outside of the loaded wide receiver rotation.
Among A&M's 17 transfer portal additions, Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton, former Northwestern Edge Anto Saka, and Tennessee transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson III are on track to make an immediate impact this season, replacing key starters, while four SEC transfer offensive linemen will replace the four 2025 starters who were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mike Elko, new OC Holmon Wiggins, and new DC Lyle Hemphill will have plenty of talent to work with after making the College Football Playoff last season, but only two of the Aggies' star players made On3's Preseason 2026 All-America list, as junior wide receiver Mario Craver and senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe were named to the third team on offense and defense.
Cornerback Dezz Ricks, safety Dalton Brooks, and linebacker Daymion Sanford certainly deserve to be on the list, but after a record 10 players were selected in the 2026 draft, it's no surprise that only two players were recognized.
NEW: 2026 On3 Preseason All-America College Football Teamđź‘€
— On3 (@On3) August 10, 2026
First, second and third-team via @Clowfb.
View: https://t.co/I6VAGVM8nk pic.twitter.com/tlQvZhN1xg
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Two Texas A&M stars make On3's Preseason All-America Team
