Latest news with #Le'VeonMoss
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is 'blessed' to have four talented running backs
Texas A&M's 2025 running back room will be headlined by the return of senior back Le'Veon Moss, who, outside of dealing with a minor legal brushup this summer, is reportedly "100%" healthy after sustaining his season-ending lower body injury halfway through the 2024 season. However, Moss will be aided by one of the deepest running back rotations in the country with the return of Reuben Owens, Amari Daniels, and EJ Smith. During Thursday's SEC media days appearance, head coach Mike Elko was asked about his 2025 running back room, first praising Le'Veon Moss's 2024 performance before his injury, where he led the SEC in rushing with 765 yards, ten touchdowns, and 6.3 yards per carry. Moss's injury significantly altered A&M's offense, placing additional pressure on starting quarterback Marcel Reed to produce through the air, which was challenging given the team's limited reliable receiving options. It's also important to note that sophomore RB Reuben Owens was also lost for the season, and despite his brief return against Texas and USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, the former five-star was not himself after tearing his ACL during fall practice. How OC Collin Klein will use Owens, who could become a hybrid receiver in certain packages, will determine just how successful the Aggie rushing attack will be. "There's a lot of quality in that group. It starts with Le'Veon Moss, who was on his way to being the leading rusher in the conference and was one of the leading rushers in the nation when he got injured." "We're blessed with four really talented backs, and you need them because, in this conference, they come and go really fast." If Moss can pick up where he left off, Texas A&M is in great shape, while Owens is determined to show the nation that he remains an elite back with first-round NFL draft potential. However, Elko also noted EJ Smith is healthy and back to form, which is good news for those who remember his elite play and versatility during the bulk of his career at Stanford. 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
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M could be without its top-returning RB when they face Notre Dame in South Bend
After Notre Dame football traveled down to College Station, Texas, last fall and defeated Texas A&M, the Aggies will return the favor and head up to South Bend this season, but could be without its top-returning rusher. On Sunday, running back Le'Veon Moss was arrested for a disorderly conduct charge, as an early morning altercation led to his detainment according to Rusty Surette of KBTX. While it is clearly in the early stages of this incident, you have to wonder how the Aggies will handle this. Could there be a suspension coming for Moss? There very well could be, but it may not ultimately impact the showdown with the Irish in South Bend. This is just pure speculation, but if Texas A&M were to impose a suspension, and it is just two games, Moss would be returning to the field against Notre Dame. It could be longer, but at this stage its hard to tell. The Aggies have two games before the contest against the Irish, as they'll face UTSA to open the season, then Utah State the following week before the tilt vs. the Irish on Sept. 13th. If this is the case and Moss does miss the first two games, he'll have a shake off the rust against a very stingy Notre Dame defense. He rushed for 765-yards and 10 touchdowns last year, as his production has increased every year with the Aggies. We will be keeping tabs on the situation, and will find out soon what will happen with Moss and this arrest.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
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.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Texas A&M Announces Major Changes After NCAA Settlement
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas A&M University is cutting its athletics department budget by nearly $10 million in response to the House Vs. National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) settlement that allows colleges to pay student athletes who represent them, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Newsweek contacted Texas A&M University for comment on Tuesday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters College sports, particularly football and basketball, can generate hundreds of millions of dollars, yet historically, the student-athletes weren't paid beyond their scholarships. However, this was challenged by ex-Arizona collegiate swimmer Grant House in 2020, and on June 6, a federal judge approved a settlement, allowing NCAA Division I schools to directly pay their student athletes for the first time. What To Know On Monday, A&M's athletic director, Trev Alberts, told reporters he plans to cut staff and other spending in response to the House v. NCAA settlement, which requires each university to pay its student athletes $20.5 million drawn from revenue-sharing agreements. The settlement was agreed upon provisionally in May 2024 before being signed off by a judge last month. A fact sheet presented by Albert indicates a combination of cuts and projected revenue increases should boost the department's coffers by around $26.5 million. The athletics director indicates $4 million will be saved by cuts to the number of administrative employees, $2 million from cuts to sports teams, around $1 million from reduced spending related to the number of student athletes and $1.8 million from cuts to the Alston Awards, which is funding student athletes can spend on their studies. Chase Bisontis #71 of the Texas A&M Aggies congratulating Le'Veon Moss #8 after a rushing touchdown in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field on October 05, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Chase Bisontis #71 of the Texas A&M Aggies congratulating Le'Veon Moss #8 after a rushing touchdown in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field on October 05, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Tim Warner/GETTY The fact sheet also suggested a cut will be made to funding for the 12th Man Foundation, which pays for "scholarships, programs and facilities" for A&M athletes. According to the Austin American-Statesman, Alberts said his department is currently "a little heavy" in terms of executive staffing, suggesting there will be cuts in this area. Alberts said football is A&M's only net revenue-producing sport, though the money for student athletes will also be spread across men's and women's basketball, baseball, volleyball, and softball. In April 2024, the Texas A&M athletics department reduced its workforce by 18. Earlier this year, the NCAA updated its policy on transgender athletes, limiting competition in women's sports to those who were born biologically female, following an executive order signed by President Trump. What People Are Saying Speaking on Monday, Alberts said: "This [settlement] has to work for the future of college athletics. "It's worth saying, you know, an unregulated market that we've lived in the last three to four years is not in the best interest of anybody, including the student-athletes." Referring to players' name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements, Alberts added: "We're going to have (a) best-in-class, fair-market value, NIL strategy. "It's where I think Texas A&M has a great strategic advantage... bringing all of our combined assets together to create the best fair-market value NIL strategy for all of our student athletes, [that] should be a separator for us." What Happens Next It remains to be seen how having paid student-athletes will transform NCAA Division I competitions going forward.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the 2025 season for Texas A&M RB Amari Daniels with his player profile
As we gear up for the 2025 football season, Aggies Wire is breaking down every player on the Texas A&M roster. Throughout the preseason, each profile will highlight a player's background, their recruiting rankings upon graduating from high school, and their projected role under head coach Mike Elko. In 2024, Amari Daniels began the year as the third-string running back behind Le'Veon Moss and Reuben Owens. But when a preseason injury sidelined Owens for the year, Daniels stepped into the primary backup role. He remained there until Moss was injured in the South Carolina game, allowing Daniels to finish the season as the lead back. In his three starts, he ran for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He flashed the speed and decisiveness that once made him one of the top-ranked high school running backs in the country. There were murmurs he might enter the transfer portal in search of more consistent starting opportunities, but that never materialized. Instead, Daniels returns in 2025 as a key depth piece. Preseason Player Profile Recruiting Rankings (Class of 2021) The former four-star prospect received several offers coming out of high school, including one from his hometown Miami Hurricanes. At Miami Central High School, he was a Preseason All-American and helped lead the team to a 6A state title. Depth Chart Outlook Throughout his Texas A&M career, Daniels has consistently been a backup while gradually earning more playing time each season. Entering 2025, the running back room is as deep as ever, and competition for backup roles will be fierce. As things stand, Daniels projects as the third running back behind Ruben Owens and Le'Veon Moss, both of whom are working to return to full health after leg injuries. 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 Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
