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Texas A&M's 2026 offseason is in full swing, and after the annual Maroon & White Game on April 18, third-year coach Mike Elko and his staff have shifted their focus to the 2027 recruiting class, already landing 14 commitments, including the No. 1-ranked tackle in the cycle, five-star Mark Matthews, on Friday night.
Just weeks after the conclusion of the spring season, Aggies Wire and nearly every other Texas A&M beat writer/media member released their own depth chart projections for A&M's 2026 offense and defense, which now includes 17 transfer portal additions combined with 26 signees from the 2026 recruiting class.
While these projections are varied based on opinion and each player's performance this spring, it's important to note that the fall practice period will likely result a much different looking depth chart, especially along the offensive line, which features four new starters. Still, redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed is the program's guaranteed starter, coupled with star wide receiver Mario Craver.
On defense, losing All-American edge Cashius Howell, who was selected 41st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, stings, but sophomore edge Marco Jones and Northwestern transfer Anto Saka look like Elko and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill's 1-2 pass rush duo after a very strong spring.
Now, just a week after releasing the defensive projections, Aggies Wire will now project Texas A&M's 2026 special teams unit, which will include a new starting kicker and some shake-up at punt returner, given the influx of talent this offseason.
Due to junior wide receiver Mario Craver's importance on offense, I don't see why Mike Elko would risk his top receiver on punt returns. Even though KC Concepcion was exceptional in the role last season, it was clear that he was banged up at the end of the year, especially in the College Football Playoff loss to Miami.
While I could be wrong, sophomore running back Jamarion Morrow is one of the twitcher athletes on the roster, and will be trading snaps with assumed starting RB Rueben Owens, while he did perform as a punt returner during spring practice. Still, Mario Craver could easily end up picking up where Concepcion left off.
Same group, just switched. Terry Bussey ranked third in the SEC with 421 kick return yards, returning 18 of 20 kicks, and nearly scored his first kick return touchdown against Notre Dame until a late hold was called. This was a no-brainer, and entering his third season, Bussey should provide another special teams spark.
Jamarion Morrow and Rueben Owens should be considered as the backup option, but right now, Morrow's quickness and upfield burst make him the popular name to return kick if needed.
For those who are long snapper aficionados, experience as an offensive lineman and soft hands are key to thriving in the role. After losing veteran Jacob Graham to graduation, his brother, Boomer Graham, will likely elevate after Levi Hancock did not appear on the updated Aggie online roster.
Projecting to start, Oklahoma transfer Shea Freibaum over 200 career snaps with the Cowboys to College Station, providing new special teams coach Patrick Dougherty one less issue entering his first season in the position.
Texas A&M has been hailed as "Punter U" due to the program's history of developing future NFL starting punters, and junior Tyler White brings two years of starting experience, while his brother, Jared White, has already received praise, and, according to sources, should beat out freshman Waylon Peters, who is a walk-on.
Last season, Texas A&M kickers Randy Bond and Asher Murray combined to make just 16-26 field goal attempts, leading Mike Elko to scour the transfer portal for a veteran option, leading to the landing of Illinois transfer David Olano, who hit 87% of his FG attempts, including 7-8 from 40-49 yards, with a long of 47 yards.
Texas A&M's No. 2 kicking option should be blue-chip freshman kicker Asher Murray, whose elite leg strength matches what Olano brings to the table, and provides depth at a position that is consistently undervalued.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Projecting Texas A&M football's post-spring special teams depth chart
Continue reading...
Just weeks after the conclusion of the spring season, Aggies Wire and nearly every other Texas A&M beat writer/media member released their own depth chart projections for A&M's 2026 offense and defense, which now includes 17 transfer portal additions combined with 26 signees from the 2026 recruiting class.
While these projections are varied based on opinion and each player's performance this spring, it's important to note that the fall practice period will likely result a much different looking depth chart, especially along the offensive line, which features four new starters. Still, redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed is the program's guaranteed starter, coupled with star wide receiver Mario Craver.
On defense, losing All-American edge Cashius Howell, who was selected 41st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, stings, but sophomore edge Marco Jones and Northwestern transfer Anto Saka look like Elko and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill's 1-2 pass rush duo after a very strong spring.
Now, just a week after releasing the defensive projections, Aggies Wire will now project Texas A&M's 2026 special teams unit, which will include a new starting kicker and some shake-up at punt returner, given the influx of talent this offseason.
Punt Returner
- Starting punt returner: Jamarion Morrow
- Backup: Terry Bussey
Due to junior wide receiver Mario Craver's importance on offense, I don't see why Mike Elko would risk his top receiver on punt returns. Even though KC Concepcion was exceptional in the role last season, it was clear that he was banged up at the end of the year, especially in the College Football Playoff loss to Miami.
While I could be wrong, sophomore running back Jamarion Morrow is one of the twitcher athletes on the roster, and will be trading snaps with assumed starting RB Rueben Owens, while he did perform as a punt returner during spring practice. Still, Mario Craver could easily end up picking up where Concepcion left off.
Kickoff Returner
- Starting KR: Terry Bussey
- Backup: Jamarion Morrow
Same group, just switched. Terry Bussey ranked third in the SEC with 421 kick return yards, returning 18 of 20 kicks, and nearly scored his first kick return touchdown against Notre Dame until a late hold was called. This was a no-brainer, and entering his third season, Bussey should provide another special teams spark.
Jamarion Morrow and Rueben Owens should be considered as the backup option, but right now, Morrow's quickness and upfield burst make him the popular name to return kick if needed.
Long Snapper
- Starting LS: Shea Freibaum
- Backup LS: Boomer Graham
For those who are long snapper aficionados, experience as an offensive lineman and soft hands are key to thriving in the role. After losing veteran Jacob Graham to graduation, his brother, Boomer Graham, will likely elevate after Levi Hancock did not appear on the updated Aggie online roster.
Projecting to start, Oklahoma transfer Shea Freibaum over 200 career snaps with the Cowboys to College Station, providing new special teams coach Patrick Dougherty one less issue entering his first season in the position.
Punter
- Starting punter: Tyler White
- Backup punter: Jared White
Texas A&M has been hailed as "Punter U" due to the program's history of developing future NFL starting punters, and junior Tyler White brings two years of starting experience, while his brother, Jared White, has already received praise, and, according to sources, should beat out freshman Waylon Peters, who is a walk-on.
Kicker
- Starting kicker: David Olano
- Backup kicker: Asher Murray
Last season, Texas A&M kickers Randy Bond and Asher Murray combined to make just 16-26 field goal attempts, leading Mike Elko to scour the transfer portal for a veteran option, leading to the landing of Illinois transfer David Olano, who hit 87% of his FG attempts, including 7-8 from 40-49 yards, with a long of 47 yards.
Texas A&M's No. 2 kicking option should be blue-chip freshman kicker Asher Murray, whose elite leg strength matches what Olano brings to the table, and provides depth at a position that is consistently undervalued.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Projecting Texas A&M football's post-spring special teams depth chart
Continue reading...
