Marcel Reed, Rueben Owens II and Terry Bussey give Texas A&M three Earl Campbell Award candidates as the Aggies reload for another championship run.
Texas A&M lost a ton of NFL talent from last season’s roster, but the Aggies certainly aren’t starting over.
Marcel Reed, Rueben Owens II and Terry Bussey have been named to the preseason watchlist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, giving Texas A&M three offensive weapons with an opportunity to bring the trophy back to Aggieland.
Reed enters 2026 with the biggest spotlight.
The Texas A&M quarterback was in the award conversation deep into last season before former Aggie Haynes King ultimately claimed the honor.
Now Reed returns as one of college football’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks and the centerpiece of Mike Elko’s offense.
He’ll also carry considerably more responsibility.
Texas A&M had 10 starters selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, creating major turnover for a program trying to remain in the national championship conversation.
Reed's experience and playmaking ability could determine how quickly all those new pieces come together.
But he isn’t A&M’s only offensive threat worth watching.
Rueben Owens II enters the season with an opportunity to establish himself as the Aggies’ featured running back.
After rushing for 639 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry last season, Owens has spent the offseason trying to become more than simply a dangerous ball carrier.
Pass protection, receiving and running with more physicality between the tackles have all been priorities.
If that work translates, Owens could be headed for a much larger workload.
Then there’s Bussey.
Terry Bussey has already proven his value on special teams, but his development at wide receiver could give Texas A&M another explosive element offensively.
His spring performance generated legitimate breakout buzz, and now the question is whether that improvement carries into Saturdays.
If it does, defensive coordinators could have another problem.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the nation's top offensive player with ties to Texas, making all three Aggies legitimate candidates entering the season.
Only one can win it, of course.
But Texas A&M won't care much about individual hardware if Reed, Owens and Bussey help produce something bigger.
After losing so much talent to the NFL, the Aggies need their returning playmakers to become stars.
These three now have the preseason recognition. Next comes proving they deserve it.
