Texas A&M's 2026 season has been a disaster through eight games, as the Aggies sit at 4-4 and 1-4 in SEC play after falling to Alabama 31-20 in Week 8, while third-year coach Mike Elko is now 0-5 against ranked opponents after signing his massive extension just weeks before the end of the 2025 season.
However, one good decision Mike Elko made amid the Aggies' struggles this season was to play former five-star prospect and electric freshman running back KJ Edwards, who now leads Texas A&M in rushing and has solidified his role as the program's starter now and in the future.
Since De'Von Achane's memorable three-year career, Texas A&M has lacked elite athleticism and quickness in the backfield, hoping that former five-star and senior RB Rueben Owens would finally look like his former self after multiple injuries hindered his production over the past two seasons.
Owens has struggled, looking one-dimensional as a north/south runner with little cutting ability on zone looks, while sophomore Jamarion Morrow, reaching full health for the first time this season, has further aided KJ Edwards' development, which continued on Saturday.
With a leg contusion, Edwards got only three carries in the second half against Alabama, but still led the team with eight receptions for 43 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Leading the Aggies with 55 carries for 360 yards and two touchdowns, Edwards is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, which is tied for 27th nationally.
Even more impressive, Edwards has produced 260 yards after contact, and with another year of development under running backs coach Trooper Taylor, combined with A&M's offensive line finding more consistency, the expectation is that Edwards will become the centerpiece of the Aggies' offense in 2027 and beyond.
Texas A&M true freshman running back KJ Edwards this season:
— Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) October 26, 2026
55 carries
360 rushing yards
6.5 yards per carry
2 TDs
216 yards after contact pic.twitter.com/rQLXZU6RDh
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Freshman running back shines amid Texas A&M struggles