Key takeaways from Texas A&M's Saturday scrimmage video

USA Today

10 hours ago

Texas A&M's Saturday scrimmage was closed off to the media, which is basic protocol during every preseason. However, thanks to the Aggies' media team, who released a 41-second clip from the scrimmage, several star players were not included in the video, while one of the program's 2025 freshman running backs received more snaps.
In aggreement with GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels, the main observations were much of the same relating to what we've seen in practice over the last week, as starting quarterback Marcel Reed completed passes to Terry Bussey and Mario Craver, while senior running back Le'Veon Moss was not on the field throughout the clip, which could have been a precautionary measure.
Freshman running back Jamarion Morrow, who has continued to impress the staff this preseason, was seen for several seconds as the primary back, as his elite quickness and versatility could push him up the depth chart. Still, either way, this proves just how deep the running back room is to allow the top options more rest.
For context, coach Mike Elko stated back in early June during his appearance at the Dallas A&M Club that while Moss is 100% healthy, he will not take any live contact snaps until the beginning of the season.
'We are not going to let him get hit until we play games anyway, so that's not really a big deal.'
Defensively, as Karels notes, Marcus Ratcliffe and Bryce Anderson took the field as the starting safety rotation, which isn't a surprise, knowing that Ratcliffe has been one of the camp stars. At the same time, Anderson needs to improve as a tackler, especially in coverage, going into his final collegiate season.
Junior defensive tackle DJ Hicks running with the first team wasn't a given. Still, the expectation is that he would be paired with senior Albert Regis, and Iowa State transfer Tyler Odyedim would be the 2025 defensive line rotation. Lastly, on the offensive line, Elko stated last week that he and O-line coach Adam Cushing were experimenting with the center position, as left tackle Trey Zuhn even took staff in the middle of the line.
In the clip, senior Koli Faaiu is taking the first-team reps, but early reports also indicate that redshirt sophomore Mark Nabou looks like his old self and might be too good to keep off the field this season. Texas A&M will resume practice on Monday, August 11.
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