Playing QB and being QB1 are two totally different things! Just days before stepping onto Kyle Field for the 2025 Maroon and White game, Marcel Reed was chilling at LB Taurean York’s place, soaking in the reality of being Mike Elko‘s newly crowned starting QB at Texas A&M. Reed’s no stranger to the field, having seen action in 14 games over two seasons with the Aggies. But this time, it’s different—he’s the man. As York, who dreams of coaching, dropped some wisdom. Reed realized just how much his life was about to change. “Welcome to it,” said York. So, with that new title comes a whole new set of responsibilities.

As Marcel Reed steps into the spotlight, head coach Mike Elko wasted no time turning the page. After a frustrating season of offensive struggles—including zero 600-yard receivers—the Aggies entered the offseason with one mission: build around Reed. However, the redshirt sophomore has quietly gone from backup to backbone. And this spring? It’s been all about his physical growth, sharper decision-making, and a new level of command that’s hard to ignore. Now, a Texas A&M insider makes a bold claim about Marcel Reed.

On the That SEC Football Podcast, SEC Mike sparked a conversation about Texas A&M’s growth under HC Elko. That’s when the focus turned to Marcel Reed. Billy Liucci didn’t hold back. He acknowledged Reed might not be the flashiest headline in the SEC—yet. But he sees major upside.

“I think people around the conference, there’s so many of these guys you want to talk about up at the top, and who’s getting replaced, and those are the big storylines. So I understand where Marcel Reed’s not a monster storyline, and I’m not guaranteeing he will be, but I’m saying he absolutely could be if he makes that jump. He’s got—you look at, if you just look at his highlights, and you also realize he wasn’t generally just slinging the ball around and turning it—you know, he wasn’t a turnover machine. He’s a really smart kid,” said the Texas A&M insider.

So, Liucci’s tone was clear: don’t sleep on Marcel Reed. His moment may be coming. He painted a confident picture of Marcel Reed’s rise. Reed wasn’t just making headlines—he was making rounds. “He’s here right now, he’s with his dad, you know, here in town during spring break,… was at the game yesterday, and he’s a great kid and leader. He’s a, you know, people around here know he’s a winner in all sports,” noted Liucci.

Now, with Reed gaining momentum off the field and five offensive line starters returning—three of whom Liucci believes could be NFL-bound—Texas A&M may have all the right pieces falling into place. And then, Billy Liucci didn’t hold back when laying out why Mike Elko’s Texas A&M’s offense could take off in 2025. However, the foundation? A stacked offensive line. “Five starters return, plus two backups with starting experience,” he emphasized. Adding, “You’ve got seven guys up front who’ve been in the trenches.” That kind of veteran depth is rare.

Not only this, behind them, the backfield is loaded. Le’Veon Moss, Rueben Owens, and EJ Smith are all back. Add in two blue-chip freshmen, and the run game looks fierce. However, the tight end room? Liucci called it the most improved unit on the team. Then there’s KC Concepcion, a flashy pickup from NC State who beat out Alabama in recruiting. Alongside him, Mario Craver brings speed and playmaking ability from Mississippi State. So, with weapons all over and a wall of protection, Liucci believes Marcel Reed is set up for a breakout sophomore season.

Why not Marcel Reed? The Texas A&M quarterback has quietly turned heads over his first two seasons. In 2024, he stepped into the spotlight, starting seven games, throwing for 1,572 yards and 12 TDs, while keeping turnovers to a minimum. His dual-threat ability and steady rise have Aggie fans buzzing. And just as Reed’s star begins to rise, HC Mike Elko is fending off poaching attempts from powerhouses like Michigan and Notre Dame. So, the message? Mike Elko’s Aggies are building something—and they’re not letting go of their future.

Mike Elko’s latest woes

Despite building a powerhouse roster, Mike Elko faces fresh recruiting headaches. With a top-ranked 2025 class and a strong 2026 group, the Aggies are loaded with talent. However, programs like Michigan and Notre Dame are making moves, eyeing Elko’s prized defensive recruit. Enter 6’4″, 225-pound EDGE Samu Moala, a 4-star standout from Leuzinger High. Committed to Texas A&M for six months, Moala is feeling the pressure but remains loyal. “Texas A&M is where I feel at home, and my feelings are even stronger for them now than they were when I committed, but I am going to get out and take some visits to see other places and make sure of things,” said Moala to On3.

Despite being committed to Mike Elko for months, the 4-star EDGE prospect has caught the eye of powerhouse teams like Vols, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, USC, and so on. Here, On3’s tweet serves as a clear warning to the Aggies: “Multiple programs continue to push for Texas A&M 4-star EDGE commit Samu Moala.” Moala, still loyal, hasn’t scheduled official visits yet but plans to. “Those schools reach out about once a week or so to check on me. I am just keeping the connections with coaches right now. Those schools are showing interest in me, so I will take some visits and see what it is like at those schools,” said the standout athlete.

But Michigan sees a golden opportunity in Samu Moala, and they’re not wasting time. With just one EDGE signee for 2025 and a three-star recruit, Tariq Boney, in 2026, the Wolverines are on the hunt for more talent. Now, Moala fits perfectly into their plans, and Michigan is relentless in its pursuit. The summer recruiting push is in full swing, and June and July are set to be key months for them. They’re hoping to bring Moala to campus soon, despite his commitment to Texas A&M. But don’t count out Notre Dame, which remains a fierce competitor in this recruitment battle.