Texas A&M Aggies Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

Texas A&M enjoyed success in 2024 under first-year head coach Mike Elko. Finishing with an 8-5 record, the Aggies are looking to move up the totem pole this fall.

Elko beefed up his lineup by adding the No. 16 overall transfer portal class to his roster, as well as the No. 7 overall recruiting class during the 2025 cycle. Marcel Reed is back under center for his first full season as the Aggies starting quarterback as well, providing them some continuity at the position that they didn’t have a year ago. Their defense returns the majority of its production as well.

All this to say, things appear to be looking up for the Aggies under Elko’s guidance. That was highlighted in Phil Steele’s forecast of Texas A&M’s 2025 season.

Offense

2024 fell short of Steele’s expectations for the Aggies, however, he fully expects them to improve this fall. While there’s a ton of focus on Reed this offseason, the Texas A&M rushing attack is expected to be among the top in the conference.

Phil Steele: “In ’23 my computer called over a TD increase in ppg to 32.1 and the Aggies improved to 33.3 ppg despite basically starting 4 different QB’s. Last year they fell short (comp 35.6) with just 30.4 ppg. This year the return QB Reed, a DEEP VHT laden RB corps and one of the nations top Olines and should top last year’s production.”

Defense

Last season, Texas A&M’s defense ranked in the bottom half of the SEC in yards allowed per game at 367.3. They were also one of four teams in the conference to allow 3,000 passing yards during the season. Can they improve in 2025 with eight starters back?

Phil Steele: “In 2021 nine starters returned and A&M improved to allowing just 328 ypg and 15.9 ppg! DC Elko left for Duke and they allowed 21.2 ppg and 22.1 ppg the next two years. Last year he was back but my computer called for 22.7 ppg and they allowed 22.2. This year 8 starters are back so they are stronger and my computer is calling for 21.1 ppg.”

2025 Forecast

2024 was a great start for Mike Elko at Texas A&M. Expected to be improved on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football, the Aggies could find themselves in the conversation late in the season.

Phil Steele: “Mike Elko knows A&M and did a remarkable job at Duke. He inherited a talented roster and got the most out of his teams at Duke. … A&M has been ranked preseason each of the last 6 years and finished ranked just once (2020) but this squad is talented enough to live up to lofty expectations and they have my #9 rated Special Teams. I will call for A&M to top last year’s 8 win total and once again be a contender in the SEC in Elko’s second year.”