Identifying five areas for A&M to improve upon

The Aggies did a lot of things extremely well during Texas A&M’s 11-2 campaign last football season.

They were first in the nation in third-down defense, fourth in sacks, third in tackles for loss, ninth in fourth-down conversions and ranked among the top 20 in several other statistical categories.

Obviously, they hope to excel in those areas again this season.

Perhaps more importantly, however, there are a few areas in which they need significant improvement.

As the Aggies prepare to begin August camp next week, here’s a list of five areas in which A&M must be better.

Red zone conversions

A&M ranked 92nd in the nation with an 81.03 percent success rate (47 of 58) when at the opponents’ 20-yard line or closer. Their 11 failures included missed field goals against South Carolina, Samford, Texas and Miami. Quarterback Marcel Reed was also intercepted in the red zone vs. LSU, South Carolina, Texas and Miami. Had A&M converted on those eight opportunities, its conversion rate would’ve climbed to 94.8 percent (55 of 58). That would’ve been third in the nation.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Of Marcel Reed’s 12 interceptions, four came inside the 20-yard line.

Why it’ll improve: Reed was in his first season as a starting quarterback. Experience figures to make him better. Also, the addition of 6-foot-4 receiver Isaiah Horton is a big target A&M was missing last season. That’ll help with fades. The Aggies could also make major progress via…

Field goals

To say A&M’s place kicking was erratic is actually gentle. A&M kickers converted just 61.5 percent of field goal attempts in 2025. That ranked a ghastly 123rd in the nation. To provide context, that was the worst percentage of any team in the College Football Playoff. Seven playoff teams converted at least 80 percent. Three more were no worse than 72 percent.

To be fair, three of A&M’s misses were from 50 yards or farther, but that means seven were inside 50 yards and — as mentioned above — four were in the red zone.

Why it’ll improve: The addition of David Olano, a transfer from Illinois, should help. He converted 87 percent of his field goal attempts in 2025. The season before that, he converted 85 percent.

Danny Grant, TexAgs

David Olano has a career 86.1 field goal percentage with a long of 50 yards.

Reduce opponents’ long runs

The term “missed fits’’ has been repeated often the last two seasons. In that span, A&M has allowed 40 runs of 20 yards or more. The Aggies gave up a whopping 21 last year. That was the most in the SEC. Georgia allowed five. Kentucky — yes, Kentucky — only allowed seven.

Those big runs are no big deal when they’re in lopsided wins over UTSA, Utah State, LSU and Missouri, but they caused major damage in losses to Texas and Miami.

Opponents are going to break long runs, but A&M must prevent them from being a common occurrence.

Why it’ll improve: Coach Mike Elko is on it. After the Texas game, Elko said: “We’ve got to look at what we’re asking our kids to do and make sure they can do it.” No doubt, rectifying the situation has been a top priority throughout the offseason.

The addition of linebacker Ray Coney should provide help. And … there’s always crossing your fingers.

Turnover Margin

Seven College Football Playoff teams were ranked among the nation’s top 50 in turnover margin. Texas A&M was 120th — the worst among any playoff team.

Brian Jones

Dalton Brooks was credited with one interception, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

The Aggies were minus-9 in turnover ratio. The primary reason interceptions. A&M quarterbacks threw 14 interceptions. A&M defenders got three. THREE? A&M tied with Georgia State, Florida Atlantic, Stanford and Rice in that category. Those teams combined for 14 victories. Hardly select company.

A&M committed 19 turnovers and forced just 10 last season. Those numbers need to be at least reversed.

Why it’ll improve: Reed’s added experience should help as far as reducing the interceptions total. But forcing more? Well, there were several opportunities last season that were dropped. Maybe this year the Aggies hang on. The law of averages is on their side, right?

Penalties

Admittedly, this category isn’t as alarming as the others. Lots of good teams are highly penalized.

A&M was 99th nationally in penalties last season. Long Reed touchdown runs vs. Arkansas and South Carolina were called back. A touchdown pass to Mario Craver was nullified.

That’s just the negated scores. Drives were killed too frequently. It got to the point that A&M fans looked for yellow flags before celebrating a big play.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Last season, Texas A&M was flagged 94 times for 789 yards in losses

Only two College Football Playoff teams were penalized more than A&M — Oklahoma and James Madison.

But national champion Indiana averaged just 27.6 penalty yards a game.

Why it’ll improve: To be fair, the Aggies made progress in the second half of the 2025 season. They were flagged 35 times in an early three-game span vs. Notre Dame, Auburn and Mississippi State — all wins, of course. A&M averaged about six penalties in the last six games.

So, there it is. Five areas in which the Aggies need to show improvement over last season.

If they do, A&M may improve on last year’s win total. Well, provided they also continue to be successful in the areas in which they excelled.