Athlon places Texas A&M’s 2026 running backs among SEC’s best, with Rueben Owens and Jamarion Morrow atop the depth chart

Texas A&M is entering the 2026 season with a running back group Athlon views as one of the stronger rooms in the SEC. In its offseason preview, Athlon ranks the Aggies’ 2026 running back unit among the conference’s top groups, arguing it has been undervalued relative to other SEC backfields. The plan, at least on paper, starts with a pair of key pieces, Rueben Owens and Jamarion Morrow, who are positioned to anchor the depth and keep the offense from losing momentum when the game turns to grinding, late-down football.

The broader context for the ranking is Texas A&M’s offensive continuity under head coach Mike Elko. After Collin Klein departed for Kansas State, Elko promoted Holmon Wiggins, previously the program’s wide receivers coach, to take over as offensive coordinator and playcaller. The staff change matters because a running back room’s workload, role in the pass game, and ability to build downhill rhythm are often determined by how the coordinator designs concepts and reads protections.

Quarterback Marcel Reed figures to be central to whether that backfield gets full value. According to the preview, Reed is back under center for what is described as his second full starting season. That detail matters for a running game because quarterback comfort influences tempo, checkdowns, and when a coordinator trusts designed runs versus scrambles. It also changes how often play-action and run-pass options can be executed with consistent timing, which can directly affect how effectively a backfield is used.

Athlon’s ranking also connects to expectations for the Aggies’ offense as a whole. The preview frames 2026 as a year in which Texas A&M’s scoring production could match or improve on last season’s scoring average. That kind of projection is tied to more than raw talent at one position. It suggests the staff believes the skill positions and playmaking should continue to create enough explosive plays, while the backfield provides structure, ball security, and sustained drives that keep the offense from going one-dimensional.

Still, an offseason ranking is not a substitute for what the group looks like in fall camp, particularly in an SEC environment where defensive fronts and disguised coverages can quickly alter running lanes. The backfield’s performance will depend on how early Reed and the new coordinator-Wiggins offense develop timing, how consistently Texas A&M can convert in short-yardage and third-and-short situations, and whether the room can stay fresh across 12 SEC games.

What to watch next is whether the backfield usage aligns with Athlon’s confidence. If Owens and Morrow are given featured roles in both the rushing rotation and the checkdown/route package, Texas A&M would likely be able to keep defenses honest. On the other side, if the offensive identity shifts too far toward outside speed or quarterback-centric creation, the production of the running backs could become more situational. For now, Athlon’s view positions the Aggies as a team that, with the right offensive continuity, can convert its running back depth into consistent scoring.

The headline takeaway is that Texas A&M’s 2026 running backs are being treated as a strength in the SEC conversation, not a depth chart afterthought. With a coordinator change on the offensive staff and Reed returning as The report-caller, the Aggies have both the rationale and the personnel framework to see whether that “top 10 in the SEC” label translates into tangible drive-after-drive impact once games begin.