2025 Preseason Herbie Awards: KC Concepcion named most impactful non-quarterback transfer

On Friday, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit hosted his annual preseason Herbie Awards. During the show, Herbstreit named Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion his pick for the “Impact Transfer Non-Quarterback” category.

“The versatility is the thing that [Texas A&M offensive coordinator] Collin Klein is going to take advantage of,” Herbstreit said. “Line him up anywhere you can. Move him around, not only as a slot receiver, but get his hands on the ball — jet sweeps. This guy’s dynamic.

“You mix him in there with Marcel Reed‘s versatility, what he can do in that zone read game. It’s going to be interesting to see how they come up with unique ways to get him the ball, and make this offense that much more dynamic down in College Station.”

After spending two seasons at NC State, Concepcion transferred to Texas A&M this offseason. The junior standout brings quite a résumé with him to College Station.

Concepcion burst onto the scene in 2023 during his true freshman campaign, finishing the season with 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns — the most receiving touchdowns and receptions by a freshman in program history.

For his efforts, he was named the 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, On3 named Concepcion its True Freshman of the Year on offense.

After a standout debut campaign, Concepcion took a step back in production last season. In 12 appearances, he amassed 53 catches for 460 yards and six touchdowns. However, Concepcion’s slump wasn’t necessarily his fault, as NC State battled quarterback issues all season.

On3 named KC Concepcion the No. 9 overall player and No. 3 wide receiver in its 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He is expected to help the Aggies’ passing game tremendously in 2025. Last season, Texas A&M only averaged 210.3 passing yards per game, ranking No. 87 in the country.

Herbstreit is far from the only expecting great things from Concepcion this fall. In July, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko raved about his transfer wideout.

“What an unbelievable playmaker,” Elko said of Concepcion. “I think he’s absolutely lived up to (his reputation). I think his work ethic, his professionalism and his ability to impact the game is exactly what we had hoped it would be when we recruited him here. And so I think he’s ready to go on and have a really really big year this year for us.”