Football is Back: Texas A&M’s First Day of Spring Practice
Spring is in full swing here in College Station, Texas, where the Aggies of Texas A&M woke up to 40 degree weather for their first day of spring practice. Media coverage was limited to the first 30 minutes of practice today, and I focused on the offensive side of the football.
This is the second year of Aggie football under head coach Mike Elko, who emphasized effort and maximizing reps in today’s session. With 24 out of their 25 signees already on campus, the lone exception being WR Jerome Myles, there are plenty of new faces on campus this Spring.
However, I would be remiss if I did not bring up the incoming transfers who bring a plethora of production, promise and hype to a program that finished the 2024 season 8-5.
Texas A&M quarterbacks Miles O’Neill (16) and Marcel Reed (10) throw to receivers downfield in a drill during spring practice at the Bright Football Complex on Friday, March 21, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron.
Newcomers
WR KC Concepcion (7): Concepcion was probably at the top of every Aggie’s transfer portal wishlist, and wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins reeled in the talented pass catcher from North Carolina State. Concepcion will provide an elite playmaking option in the slot and is by far the most experienced receiver on the team. Today was his first official day in an Aggie uniform and he had reliable hands throughout position drills.
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) finds the football to bring it in for a catch during spring practice at the Bright Football Complex on Friday, March 21, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron.
QB Brady Hart (13): After the decommitment of QB Husan Longstreet, Elko and Co. were hard pressed to find a quarterback in the 2025 class and landed on Hart, who reclassified from the 2026 class to enroll in the spring. Hart was already young for his class, and was just 16 years old when he arrived on campus. He has plenty of room to grow in terms of his ability and stature, but showed some zip on his throws. He had one or two sail on him, but he will have plenty of time before he sees any regular season action.
TE Kiotti Armstrong (21): I got to see Armstrong play in San Antonio at the Navy All-American Bowl, where it was clear he possessed elite size and reach. Seeing him in maroon for the first time was no different. Officially listed at 6-foot-7 and 265 lbs., Armstrong made other large humans look small, and if he can prove his ability as a blocker and learn the playbook, Armstrong could see the field early.
OT Lamont Rogers (79): Another freshman physical freak, I also got to see Rogers at the All-American Bowl and talk to him as well. Rogers stood out compared to the other offensive lineman because of his height, but a full year under Moffitt would help Rogers a lot. One thing I noticed in San Antonio is that he could use some lower body strength, and there is already a noticeable improvement after a few months in the strength and conditioning program at A&M. Still, Rogers could use a little more time filling out his frame and adding muscle mass. Once he does, he is going to be a stalwart at tackle.
WR Mario Craver (1): Another big-time add at receiver, Craver comes in after an explosive and promising freshman campaign for Mississippi State. Carver will likely be the starting receiver opposite Terry Bussey, but will have to earn the spot. He will have a head start over true freshman Jerome Myles, who is recovering from a severe injury suffered during his senior season of high school football.
Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver (1) runs with the football after making a catch during spring practice at the Bright Football Complex on Friday, March 21, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron.
EDGE Marco Jones (10): While I was on the opposite side of the field where the defense was working, I caught a glimpse of the defensive linemen working as I walked off the field. Jones’s frame stood out—not just his height but his wingspan. He has extremely long arms which will help him reach the quarterback and shed blocks against the run. Jones is another guy I got to talk to at the All-American Bowl and he has been looking forward to spring ball for months. I will have more to write on Jones when I watch the defense on Tuesday.
Familiar Faces
WR Terry Bussey (2): This is probably the name every Aggie wants to see and hear more about. The lone five star prospect in Elko’s 2024 recruiting class was projected to pan out at corner, but played receiver last year despite being listed as a defensive back. This year, Bussey is making the move to wide receiver permanent. What impressed me the most was Bussey’s mentality. The 12th Man knows all too well that five-star talent doesn’t mean much without a five-star mentality and work ethic. Bussey possesses both, and it was evident today. The former 2A UIL star was front of the line in every drill and seems to have emerged as a leader in a very young position group.
Texas A&M wide receiver Terry Bussey (2) catches a pass during spring practice at the Bright Football Complex on Friday, March 21, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron.
QB Marcel Reed (10): Haynes King, Zach Calzada and Conner Weigman will all be starting quarterbacks for Power 4 programs this Fall, and all of them started their career with the Aggies. All of them also faced constant scrutiny and criticism from fans as the starting quarterback at an SEC program. Reed will likely be subject to the same pressure that comes with the starting quarterback job in College Station. Reed was sharp today, and has already shown that he can meet the lofty expectations of the 12th Man. I think he could exceed them.
RB Rueben Owens (4): A number change last year was necessary with Bussey donning Owens’ freshman jersey number. Owens has stuck with it heading into 2025 and is fully healthy for the first time since, well, last spring. A foot injury kept him sidelined until the season finale against Texas, but he was not playing at 100%. The usage of Owens will be something I monitor throughout the next few weeks, since the trio of Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels and E.J. Smith all return for 2025.
Texas A&M running back Rueben Owens (4) runs after making a catch during spring practice at the Bright Football Complex on Friday, March 21, 2025. Photo by Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron.
OG Chase Bisontis (71): The move inside to guard was the best thing that could have happened for the former right tackle, who flourished in his new role in 2024. Bisontis is in line for a big year, as he will be eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. Playing alongside Armaj’ Reed-Adams, one of the nation’s top guards, should help Bisontis, who will look to take another step forward under offensive line coach Adam Cushing. Cushing was responsible for the development of first round picks Rashawn Slater and Peter Skoronski at Northwestern. Side note - a member of the team reports that Bisontis hit a 715 lb squat. That would be the heaviest anyone has squatted under strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt.
The next practice I will attend is Tuesday, March 23, 2025. I will focus on the defense and bring more updates on that front. Stay tuned for coverage of Texas A&M’s pro day, as that is coming up soon.
