Texas A&M’s future under coach Mike Elko, who is entering his third season at the helm, is extremely bright if the program’s trajectory stays the course after making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, while a record 10 players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. In 2026, the Aggies will face a daunting 9-game SEC schedule, including road games vs. LSU, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.
Returning 65% of the 2025 roster, including starting quarterback Marcel Reed, Texas A&M’s 17 transfer portal additions, and the 2026 signing class shore up the depth and replace key starters, and while matching last season’s 11-2 finish will be tough, On3’s Josh Pate is a firm believer that Mike Elko will lead the Aggies to a National Championship over the course of his new six-year deal.
This week, Josh Pate named the three programs he’s “buying stock in” ahead of the 2026 season, with Texas A&M joining Virginia Tech, under new head coach James Franklin, and the Florida Gators, who head into new coach Jon Sumrall’s inaugural season. All three programs possess the necessary NIL funds, recruiting prowess, and, most importantly, NFL development plans.
Marcel Reed returns under center for his second full starting season, aided by junior wide receiver Mario Craver and Alabama transfer WR Isaiah Horton, who brings much-needed size at 6’4″ and will open up the middle of the field for Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman, and Terry Bussey to thrive on short/intermediate throws.
On defense, Pate, like most of us, is a fan of Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka, who will look to replace unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell, who led the SEC with 11.5 sacks last season.
“On defense, the Aggies bolstered an already talented pass rush with the addition of transfer Anto Saka. Combined with the momentum created by last year’s 11-win campaign, Pate believes Texas A&M has the ingredients to continue climbing the college football landscape.
Whether it’s a coaching overhaul at Florida, a new era beginning at Virginia Tech or Texas A&M looking to capitalize on last season’s breakthrough, Pate sees plenty of reasons to buy into all three programs entering the 2026 season. We’ll see if he’s vindicated in just over a month.”
Texas A&M’s schedule is brutal, but until the games are played, which teams will improve or decline remains unknown. Nonetheless, Mike Elko will have his team ready for battle.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M among three teams Josh Pate is ‘buying stock in’ this season
