Ground Game Renaissance: Texas A&M Reloads with Returning Elite RB Trio — Can the Aggies Power Their Way to the 2025 Playoff?

There’s something stirring in College Station, and it’s not just the sound of cowbells or the echo of Midnight Yell Practice. As Texas A&M eyes the 2025 college football season, it does so with quiet confidence — and for good reason. The Aggies are bringing back their entire trio of elite running backs, a rare and enviable situation that could reignite their offense and fuel a genuine push toward the expanded College Football Playoff.

This is more than just continuity. It’s a full-fledged revival of a run-first identity that once defined Texas A&M’s most punishing teams. With the return of the dynamic threesome — Rueben Owens II, Le’Veon Moss, and Amari Daniels — the Aggies possess a backfield as deep and dangerous as any in the country. That’s not hyperbole; it’s backed by production, versatility, and ceiling. These three tailbacks offer a potent mix of speed, power, and vision that can wear down defenses over four quarters and explode for game-breaking plays at any moment.

Rueben Owens II came to College Station with sky-high expectations, and as a freshman, he showed flashes of the brilliance that made him a 5-star recruit. Despite splitting carries, he amassed 785 total yards and 6 touchdowns, showcasing his blend of agility and field awareness. Now entering his sophomore campaign, Owens looks poised to take a leap from potential star to bonafide SEC game-changer.

Alongside him is Le’Veon Moss, the bruiser of the bunch. At 6’1” and 210 pounds, Moss thrives in short-yardage situations and wears down defenders with relentless physicality. His no-nonsense running style complements Owens’ finesse beautifully, and he led the team in rushing touchdowns last season with 9. Moss has the vision to find holes and the strength to punish tacklers — a perfect recipe for moving the chains in the SEC.

Then there’s Amari Daniels, the most experienced of the group. A senior with over 1,500 career rushing yards, Daniels brings leadership and balance to the backfield. His football IQ and pass protection skills make him an invaluable asset on third downs. While not the flashiest, Daniels is a coach’s dream — dependable, durable, and unselfish.

After several seasons of inconsistent quarterback play and identity crises on offense, the Aggies appear to be returning to a time-tested formula: run the ball, control the clock, dominate the trenches. Under new offensive coordinator Collin Klein, formerly of Kansas State, Texas A&M is expected to emphasize a ground-and-pound attack that opens up play-action and minimizes turnovers.

Klein’s track record suggests a commitment to a balanced offense built around a strong rushing foundation. That philosophy meshes perfectly with what A&M has in the running back room — and if the offensive line, now infused with experience and depth, holds up its end, the results could be explosive.

The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field changes everything for programs like Texas A&M. In years past, a tough loss in SEC play might have doomed their postseason hopes. But now, with more spots available and an emphasis on strong resumes, the Aggies are right in the thick of the conversation — especially with their backfield weapons intact.

They’ll still have to navigate a brutal schedule. Alabama, Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss all loom large, but the Aggies’ ability to control tempo and keep high-powered offenses off the field could be their secret weapon. In a conference where everyone wants to throw, Texas A&M may be zagging at just the right time — punishing teams with body blows while others swing wildly for knockout passes.

Quarterback stability will still matter, of course. Whether it’s sophomore Marcel Reed or a potential transfer portal addition, the man under center must manage the game effectively, avoid costly turnovers, and make the most of play-action opportunities. But unlike many teams, Texas A&M won’t need a Heisman contender at quarterback. What they need is efficiency — and their rushing attack is designed to create just that.

As Oklahoma and Texas officially join the SEC, the conference is evolving. Parity is increasing. Georgia remains the juggernaut, but there’s a sense that the next tier — Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, and now possibly A&M — is more competitive than ever. With coaching turnover, NIL reshuffling, and the unpredictable nature of college football, opportunity knocks for a program that’s often been labeled as underachieving.

Texas A&M has the roster. They have the schedule. They have the coaching. But more than anything, they have a rare weapon in the form of three battle-tested running backs who can take over games. That’s not just a luxury — it’s an identity.