Preseason is officially upon us, which means preseason ranking season has arrived as well. And like most rankings released this early, they’re built on projections, roster strength, returning production, coaching stability, and a whole lot of educated guessing. No major outlet has ever gone a perfect 25‑for‑25 by the time a national champion is crowned, and 2026 won’t be any different.
With that understood, On3 has released its 2026 College Football Preseason Top 25, placing Texas A&M in an interesting and debatable spot.
On paper, the Aggies lost a staggering amount of talent. Ten starters were drafted, eight of them from the offensive and defensive lines. That’s not just turnover; that’s a full renovation of the trenches. For a team that reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, it’s fair to argue that A&M belongs somewhere in the Top 25… but maybe not inside the Top 10.
The coaching staff adds another layer of uncertainty. While Mike Elko avoided major upheaval, several key assistants departed. Instead of splash hires, Elko opted for continuity, promoting from within for three of the most important roles:
- Holmon Wiggins, first‑time play caller at Offensive Coordinator
- Lyle Hemphill, stepping in as Defensive Coordinator after Jay Bateman’s departure
- Joey Lynch, moving from running backs coach to Quarterbacks coach
None of these names jump off the page nationally, but continuity matters, especially for a program coming off an 11‑2 season and a playoff berth. The system remains intact, the culture remains intact, and Elko’s fingerprints remain all over the program.
Where continuity fades is on the roster itself. A&M isn’t starting from scratch, but the number of new faces, especially up front, is impossible to ignore. Still, Elko has already proven he can recruit and develop at a high level, particularly through the transfer portal. The Aggies didn’t just replace bodies; they added legitimate SEC‑caliber talent. That alone bumps them several spots in preseason projections.
We can debate their exact ranking until the cows come home, but as things stand, On3 has Texas A&M entering the 2026 season at No. 10, a nod to both the uncertainty and the upside.
Below is On3’s full Top 25.
NEW: On3 2026 College Football Preseason Top 25👀
Do you agree?🤔https://t.co/CxJOBEw8d1pic.twitter.com/IHviZNcZuN
— On3 (@On3) August 11, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Where did Texas A&M football land on On3’s preseason Top 25 rankings?
