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Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Texas A&M's star running back being overlooked on the national stage?
Despite entering the 2025 season with one of the most experienced and talented rosters in the country, Texas A&M isn't nationally viewed as a contender for the College Football Playoff, mainly due to the late-season collapse that occurred after star running back Le'Veon Moss was lost for the season during the first half against South Carolina. After losing to the Gamecocks, Texas A&M finished 8-5, including the season-finale loss to rival Texas in the first matchup in more than a decade. While the offseason negativity among the fan base has slowly dissipated, the national focus on the Aggies' star-studded roster is bizarre. Still, in a world where Arch Manning is now Texas's starting quarterback, it's hard to share the spotlight. Outside of starting quarterback Marcel Reed needing to improve in the pocket, the return of Le'Veon Moss in the backfield, paired with Amari Daniels, Reuben Owens, and EJ Smith all returning, Texas A&M's running game could be the best unit in the SEC, starting, and ending with Moss staying healthy throughout the year. On Tuesday, On3 host J.D. PicKell described his confusion regarding the lack of Moss's national coverage after averaging over six yards per carry before his injury during the 2024 season, racking up 765 yards and ten touchdowns before his injury. "Le'Veon Moss is the best running back that averaged six yards per carry before he got hurt, that is getting zero love in the preseason" PicKell stated. "I think you can probably bet Tennessee to lead the conference in rushing based on how they've run the ball the last couple of years, but if you're not betting Tennessee, I might bet Texas A&M will lead the conference in rushing." PicKell went on to note that OC Collin Klein's offense is now better suited to Marcel Reed's skill set compared to last season, and how that will impact the offense in 2025. "Marcel Reed now have the offense built to his skill set, which it wasn't this time last year, built for Conner Weigman last year where they adjusted on the fly, and Collin Klein, who was a mobile quarterback back when he played, so he's calling plays similar to his skillset in Marcel Reed." Suppose Texas A&M's running game finds its footing, combined with Marcel Reed's ability to run the ball and make plays out of structure in the passing game. In that case, I expect the Aggies to be one of the top offenses in the SEC and one of the most formidable opponents to prepare for on a weekly basis. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M RB Le'Veon Moss is getting "zero love" this offseason
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football Expert Gives Exciting Florida Gators Take
College Football Expert Gives Exciting Florida Gators Take originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators football program seems to be on the rise. After entering the 2024 season on the hot seat, head coach Billy Napier turned the team around in the final four games, ending the year on a winning streak. Advertisement Because of this resurgent stretch, which included back-to-back wins over the No. 21 LSU Tigers and No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels, Florida fans are excited for the future of Napier and the rest of the team. With this excitement growing around the Gators, college football expert On3's J.D. PicKell had a very interesting take on the pulse of the Florida fan base as the 2025 season approaches. Florida Gators head coach Billy NapierMatt Pendleton-Imagn Images "If you're a Florida fan, I think you're pulse, heading into 2025, after the way you finished 2024, was like 'tell me why we can't go make the College Football Playoff," PicKell said. While making the 12-team playoff may seem like lofty expectations for a Gators team that went 8-5 a year ago, the wealth of talent on Florida's roster is definitely a plus going into 2025. Advertisement The Gators will return star quarterback DJ Lagway, who will be entering his sophomore season. As a freshman last year, Lagway appeared in all 13 games while making seven starts in place of injured Graham Mertz. In those starts, the former five-star recruit and top signal caller in the country boasted a 6-1 record. "Florida fans, I understand," PicKell continued. "I hear what you're saying because you finished hot with four in a row, like we said. Your quarterback looks like the five-star he was out of high school, you got top-20 production back from last year. You've been patient." This patience is something the Gator faithful is running low on. After finishing under .500 in each of Napier's first two seasons and getting over the hump in 2024, Florida fans believe this year may be "playoff or bust." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CFB Analyst Reveals Key to Auburn's Offensive Success in 2025
CFB Analyst Reveals Key to Auburn's Offensive Success in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Auburn Tigers were one of the worst teams in college football in terms of turnover margin in 2024. Advertisement The Tigers ranked 120th in college football, with a margin of (-9). However, On3's JD PicKell discussed how Auburn could right the ship this season. He believed it would all come down to Oklahoma Sooners transfer Jackson Arnold on a recent edition of "The Hard Count." Arnold played in 10 games, with nine starts, last season, throwing for 1,421 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions. While the interceptions do not look too bad, Arnold struggled more with fumbles last season. He fumbled the ball nine times in 2024. Oklahoma Sooners QB Jackson Arnold.© William Purnell-Imagn Images "Auburn's success in 2025 offensively will go with the confidence of one Jackson Arnold," PicKell said. "Because when you play confident football, you usually play efficient football. Efficient football equates to somewhat low mistake football. Which is what plagued Arnold at Oklahoma." Advertisement Arnold was not the starter for long at Oklahoma last season. After a rough start against the Tennessee Volunteers, where he threw one interception and lost two fumbles, he was benched. Michael Hawkins Jr. started the next three games before Arnold was put back in the starting role for the remainder of the season. Fast forward to 2025, and Arnold is expected to compete for the starting job at Auburn. The Tigers added a solid weapon for the quarterback to use in former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets receiver Eric Singleton Jr. In other recruiting news for Auburn, the Tigers were dealt a tough blow with five-star running back Ezavier Crowell after he committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Advertisement The team did make history with one of its recent commitments, however. Three-star offensive tackle Nikau Hepi was the first player from the NFL Academy Asia-Pacific campus to commit to a United States college. Hepi is a three-star prospect via 247Sports and hails from New Zealand. Arnold and Auburn kick off the 2025 season against the Baylor Bears on August 29. Related: Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium Ranking for EA Sports College Football 26 Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football Expert Says Florida is Most Important Program in 2025
College Football Expert Says Florida is Most Important Program in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators have a tough road ahead of them in the 2025 season. With one of if not the toughest schedules in college football, UF will have a big impact on the outlook of the College Football Playoff come December. Advertisement Florida will face four teams who finished in the top 11 of the AP Poll at the end of last season and five of the top 25 this fall. Because of this gauntlet of a schedule, On3's J.D. PicKell tabbed the Gators as "the most important team in college football in 2025." PicKell said that because Florida plays several teams with CFP aspirations early in the season, UF could become a "course-setter" for the college football landscape." Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6).Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images After matchups against Long Island University and USF to begin the year, the Gators will play two straight road games against LSU and Miami before coming back to Gainesville to host the Texas Longhorns. Advertisement This three-week stretch will say a lot about both Florida's chances of making the 12-team playoff and its opponents' chances as well. "If Florida ends up being a version of what they were in November from last year," PicKell said. "Florida could be not just a party crasher... might mess around, knock on the back door trying to get in the College Football Playoff [themselves]." The Gators finished the 2024 season winners of four straight with victories over LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State and a Gasparilla Bowl win against Tulane. There is no doubt it will be tough sledding for Florida in 2025, but, as PicKell said, there is a chance the Gators could play spoiler or make a run themselves. Related: 2027 Four-Star Recruit Puts Florida in Top 12 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
