It’s almost summer, which means one thing in the college football world. The annual wave of preseason rankings and player projections. Every outlet rolls out its lists, and every year we look back in December and laugh at how wildly things changed. That’s the nature of preseason forecasting – it’s educated guesswork at best.
Midseason awards usually tell us far more because they’re based on actual production. Last year was a perfect example. Several outlets had Arch Manning penciled in as a Heisman finalist before he’d even logged meaningful snaps. As the season unfolded, he fell off the radar, then gradually worked his way back into the conversation as simply a solid SEC quarterback. It’s a reminder that preseason lists are more about expectation than certainty.
Still, they give us a baseline for identifying the top contributors across the country. On3 just released its Top 100 players heading into the 2026 season, and given the roster turnover at Texas A&M, it’s not shocking that the Aggies landed only two names. But the two who made it absolutely earned their spots.
No. 33 – WR Mario Craver (Junior)
Craver enters 2026 as one of the SEC’s most explosive returning receivers. His 2025 production speaks for itself:
He opened last season with back‑to‑back 100‑yard games and delivered a 207‑yard explosion against Notre Dame. Even while battling injuries late in the year, he remained a reliable target and finished strong in the College Football Playoff. His placement inside the top 35 feels justified.
No. 57 – S Marcus Ratcliffe (Senior)
Ratcliffe has been the heartbeat of A&M’s secondary and one of the most consistent defenders in the SEC:
He’s the veteran presence on a defense undergoing transition, and his leadership alone makes him one of the most valuable players on the roster.
The Snub: QB Marcel Reed
The glaring omission is quarterback Marcel Reed. Yes, he struggled down the stretch, but he also spent a significant portion of the season in the Heisman conversation, something very few quarterbacks in the country can claim. Leaving him out of the Top 100 while including players who haven’t faced remotely the same level of competition is baffling. Reed’s upside, production, and importance to A&M’s offense make this one of the most obvious snubs of the entire list.
What it Means to 2026
With limited representation, the Aggies enter the season with a clear “prove‑it” mentality. Craver and Ratcliffe will be central to A&M’s push to return to the College Football Playoff, but Reed’s response to being overlooked may be the storyline that defines their season.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M lands two on the On3 Top 100, but a key snub raises eyebrows
Reporting by Jarrett Johnson, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
