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USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Who are top five Texas A&M freshmen in EA Sports College Football 26?
EA Sports College Football 26 honored the skills of many talented Texas A&M freshmen who could become future stars while developing under head coach Mike Elko over the next four years. It is not always that easy, however. This new era of college football, featuring the ever-growing transfer portal, has led to many first-year players quickly finding their next destinations. For now, the Aggies have a solid freshman foundation with some earning top overalls on Texas A&M's roster in this year's video game, and for good reason. Not to mention, Elko and company have roped in the No. 4 recruiting class for 2026, according to On3 Sports' 2026 Industry Ranking Football Team Recruiting Rankings. The class features one five-star and 19 four-star recruits, with many other prospects yet to lock in their commitments. If this cycle continues under Elko, the Aggies could be primed to have one of the top freshmen rosters in next year's game as well. While college football fans and the Maroon and White faithful continue to enjoy CFB 26, here are the top five freshmen on Texas A&M's roster that everyone should know about when playing the video game: Lamont Rogers, OL (80 overall) Rated a five-star recruit by 247Sports and a four-star prospect by Rivals and ESPN, offensive lineman Lamont Rogers earned the top overall of all freshmen on the Aggies' roster in College Football 26. Rogers was ranked at No. 20 in ESPN's Top 300, while also earning a 2024 Navy All-American Bowl selection. His athleticism, length and dominant performances helped lead Horn High School to an appearance in the UIL 6A DI playoffs during his sophomore year. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Rogers' size and underrated quickness are massive attributes that he will bring to the Texas A&M starting lineup in the future. His ability to play both basketball and soccer, while also showcasing his talent on the gridiron, molded him into one of the top overall athletes in his class. Kiotti Armstrong, TE (79 overall) With quarterback Marcel Reed entering his redshirt sophomore year in Bryan-College Station, Texas, adding favorable targets will help position the Aggies' offense for success in 2025. While former Alabama tight end Amari Niblack will likely see the majority of the snaps this year, consensus four-star Kiotti Armstrong will be able to learn and develop in his first year at Texas A&M. The Jasper, Texas, native hauled in 36 catches for 683 yards and seven touchdowns, while also earning a selection for the 2024 Navy All-American Bowl. Ranked No. 160 in ESPN's Top 300, Armstrong has well-earned his 79 overall in this year's college football video game. With his talent as a receiver and a blocker, his rating could increase heading into next season. Dealyn Evans, DL (79 overall) While he only saw the field in the Aggies' victories over McNeese and New Mexico State, defensive lineman Dealyn Evans has shed the redshirt and enters his freshman season in the Maroon and White in 2025. Nominated as last year's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year, Evans came to Texas A&M as one of the top-ranked recruits in the country. The 2024 Under Armour All-American Bowl selection recorded 58 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, and 4.0 sacks during his senior campaign. Evans is a former multi-sport athlete who has all the intangibles to become an elite defensive star for the Aggies. His 79 overall rating does not justify the carnage he can create against opposing offenses. Deondrae "Tiger" Riden Jr., RB (77 overall) Texas A&M's 2025 running back room features some of the top athletes in the country. Ranked as the No. 5 unit by Athlon Sports, experienced backs like Le'Veon Moss, Rueben Owens, Amari Daniels, and EJ Smith will lead the way for the Aggies this season. However, the future is bright with Deondrae "Tiger" Riden Jr. biding his time in one of the deepest rooms in college football. The former DeSoto High School running back rushed for 1,880 yards on 234 carries and 27 touchdowns in his senior season. He owns DeSoto's career rushing record with 4,250-plus yards and nearly 60 scores. Rivals listed Riden Jr. as the No. 15 running back in the class and a four-star recruit by all major recruiting outlets. He is listed as a 77 overall in EA Sports College Football 26, but he could quickly rise in the rankings with his speed and breakaway ability, especially in a room filled with veteran leadership in College Station. Ashton Funk, OL (76 overall) Texas A&M's 6-foot-7, 305-pounder from Katy saw some snaps in 2024, including time on the field against USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, but he will have the opportunity to grow and improve even more entering his freshman season with the Aggies. The four-star overall prospect was a standout player at Tompkins High School, becoming the 2023 Houston TD Club Offensive Player of the Year Finalist. Ranked No. 274 in ESPN's Top 300, Funk earned multiple UIL District 19-6A honors. While earning the majority of his snaps at left tackle at Tompkins, the four-star prospect displayed a knack for dominating defensive talent. Funk earned a 76 rating in this year's video game, but his size and strength could propel him into the group of 80 overalls next year with development under Elko and offensive line coach Adam Cushing. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 O-line as one of the best in the country
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas A&M's 2025 O-line as one of the best in the country Texas A&M will enter the 2025 season with one of the top offensive lines in the country, based on experience and recruiting talent, as all five starters from the beginning of the 2024 season return to the lineup, paired with six freshman O-linemen from the 2025 signing class, led by five-star tackle Lamont Rogers, who could see the field sooner than later. Throughout the offseason, head coach Mike Elko has consistently praised his offensive line, recognizing that for the Aggie offense to improve, starting quarterback Marcel Reed truly requires consistent pass protection. Meanwhile, A&M's deep running back room should thrive if guards Chase Bisontis and Ar'maj Reed-Adams continue where they left off last season. This week, Elko continued to praise the O-line during the annual Austin Coach's' Night, knowing that any success starts and ends in the offensive trenches. "Any time you're building a team and talking about possible success, when you bring back your top six starting offensive linemen, that's a really strong starting point." When the blocking up front is effective, most offenses thrive, especially OC Collin Klein's run-centric scheme, which also relies on setting up play-action. However, it requires the quarterback to make quick, decisive reads, especially when the run game isn't working. Elko isn't the only one praising Texas A&M's offensive line, as Pro Football Focus ranked the 2025 blockers of Texas A&M as the third-ranked O-line, behind Alabama and Utah, while Florida and Oregon came in fourth and fifth, respectively. While this is simply a preseason ranking, PFF's Max Chadwick isn't one of the more trusted, research-based football journalists who don't just throw names out for clicks. Instead, he studies the film, showing that Texas A&M's size, strength, and athleticism at tackle and guard should have the Aggies in good shape in the trenches heading into fall camp. 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.
USA Today
06-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where did Texas A&M's 2025 cycle finish in ESPN's class rankings?
Where did Texas A&M's 2025 cycle finish in ESPN's class rankings? Texas A&M's 2025 class didn't take center stage during Wednesday's National Signing Day, but that was the case for every major program in the country due to the popularity of Early Signing Day, which took place in early December. Heading into his second season at the helm, coach Mike Elko deserves credit for landing what is widely ranked as a top 10 cycle, comprised of 25 signees, including multiple blue-chip prospects led by five-star offensive tackle Lamont Rogers and five-star wide receiver Jerome Myles. Indeed, while Rogers and Myles stand out as the most "talented" players in their positions, four-star defensive lineman Chace Sims and four-star offensive lineman Nelson McGuire have quickly ascended the player rankings after their senior seasons, illustrating their potential as future stars. While every class in the Power 5 conference is now signed, sealed, and delivered to every campus, four-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood, who was once a target to land with the Aggies, ultimately signed with Michigan, who is one of the clear leaders in NIL, tied with the Texas Longhorns. While 14 of Texas A&M's 25 2025 signees were ranked in 247Sports top player rankings, an equal 14 finished with ESPN's top 300 prospects, only trailing Texas, Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, and Auburn. Here is where the Aggie's final 2025 cycle ranks in ESPN's Top 10 recruiting classes. 10. Florida Gators 26 signees ESPN 300 commits: 13 Top signee: 4-star CB Vernell Brown III 25 signees ESPN 300 commits: 14 Top signee: 5-star OT Lamont Rogers 23 signees ESPN 300 commits: 10 Top signee: 5-star OT Solomon Thomas 7. Michigan Wolverines 24 signees ESPN 300 commits: 11 Top signee: 5-star QB Bryce Underwood 6. Auburn Tigers 26 signees ESPN 300 commits: 15 Top signee: 5-star CB Blake Woodby 5. Ohio State Buckeyes 26 signees ESPN 300 commits: 15 Top signee: 5-star QB Tavien St. Clair 4. Alabama Crimson Tide 21 signees ESPN 300 commits: 15 Top signee: 5-star QB Keelon Russell 3. Oregon Ducks 20 signees ESPN 300 commits: 16 Top signee: 5-star WR Dakorien Moore 28 signees ESPN 300 commits: 15 Top signee: 5-star DL Elijah Griffin 1. Texas Longhorns 25 signees ESPN 300 commits: 17 Top signee: 5-star DT Justus Terry 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.
