3 key takeaways from Texas A&M's third preseason practice

Under third-year coach Mike Elko, those of us in Aggie media were granted access to three full preseason practices this month, with the first practice taking place on Saturday afternoon. On its face, the rise of former wide receiver Terry Bussey stood out as the primary takeaway, while the Aggies’ loaded secondary, now featuring Tennessee transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson and former Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard, looks much faster and stickier in coverage.

Entering his second full starting season, redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw for a career-high 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last fall, needs to take another step and eliminate the mental mistakes that led to too many forced throws into coverage, as 8 of his 12 interceptions came against top-35-ranked defenses last season.

This summer, after adding more muscle to his frame and working with private QB coach Jeff Christensen, Marcel Reed has, after three practices, looked marginally improved in the pocket, making quick decisions, while layering several throws, and building more chemistry with Alabama transfer WR Isaiah Horton.

Overall, thanks to a collection of takeaways from myself and A&M beat writers in attendance at Saturday’s practices, here are three key takeaways from Aggies Wire.

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After losing four starting offensive linemen to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Aggies added four SEC starting O-linemen, and combined with several rising players from the 2025 and 2026 signing class, a rotation is more than likely heading into the 2026 season.

However, all four transfer additions could conceivably start, especially former South Carolina guard Trovon Baugh, who continues to look like the team’s run-blocker, keeping Marcel Reed and backup QB Brady Hart clean throughout the week, and continued his impressive play on Saturday.

Echoing most of the media in attendance, OL coach Adam Cushing will have a tough decision to make at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle given the consistent play from nearly every participating offensive lineman.
owned Saturday’s practice

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Ask anyone in Aggie media about Terry Bussey’s performance on Saturday, and you’ll receive the same answer: total domination. Making a handful of one-handed catches in traffic, Bussey’s added size this offseason has boosted his confidence in coverage, while his running pristine routes, finally living up to his five-star recruiting potential, in practice, at least.

Texas A&M’s 2026 wide receiver rotation is loaded, especially with the added size from Isaiah Horton, who now stands 6’4″ and 215 pounds, while junior Mario Craver and Ashton Bethel-Roman‘s track speed was extremely difficult for opposing defenses. Add in Terry Bussey’s enhanced play, and Marcel Reed has zero excuses outside of poor blocking if he doesn’t match, or better, his 2025 production through the air.

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During Texas A&M’s second preseason practice, transfer cornerback Rickey Gibson skyed for an interception that forced this writer to write a separate post due to the impressive nature of the play, while Northwestern transfer Edge Anto Saka continues to dominate, winning several one-on-ones with a simple bull rush to get in the backfield on Saturday.

Veteran cornerback Dezz Ricks will more than likely win the No. 1 CB job, but after Saturday, it’s clear that senior corner Julio Humphrey and Rickey Gibson are neck and neck for the No. 2 cornerback job, and as we know, competition creates a better on-field product. Overall, this secondary does not lack speed in the slightest.

North Carolina transfer defensive lineman CJ Mims also stood out and is in line to earn the starting nose tackle job, generating several pressures and tackles for loss.

Lastly, freshman running back KJ Edwards is nearly matching what we’ve seen from junior Rueben Owens and sophomore Jamarion Morrow, bursting through the first opening he saw for a 30-yard run, showing off his elite speed and upfield burst.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 3 key takeaways from Texas A&M’s third preseason practice