Marcel Reed is a Heisman Trophy candidate for the 2025 season, having led the Texas A&M Aggies to a perfect 9-0 record. Despite holding the No. 3 spot in the College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s rankings, many believe the Aggies are the No. 1 team this season.
Texas A&M is fresh off a 38-17 win over the Missouri Tigers last weekend. With a 6-0 record in the Southeastern Conference, Mike Elko’s squad is returning home this weekend to host the South Carolina Gamecocks to improve its conference rankings.
Mike Elko Remains Cautious on Marcel Reed’s Safety against South Carolina Defense
South Carolina claimed last year’s Bonham Trophy game with a 44-20 win in Columbia, but Texas A&M has a prime chance to avenge that blow on Saturday. However, Elko remains wary of South Carolina’s explosive defense and the threat it poses to Reed.
“Everybody has edge rushers, but these are a cut above,” Elko said (34:34) during an appearance on the “Aggie Football Hour” show on Wednesday.“Dylan Stewart’s the best one we’ve seen so far this year. And he’s just unbelievably athletic and dynamic on the edge as a rusher.
“We have to keep Marcel clean and can’t allow their defensive line to take over the game like they’re capable of doing,” he added.
The Aggies’ 9-0 start marks their first unbeaten run this deep into the season since 1992 and their first 6-0 SEC record since joining the conference 13 years ago. They also lead the FBS in road wins over ranked teams, having defeated Notre Dame, LSU, and Missouri, and currently sit at No. 3 in PFSN’s College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s rankings.
Texas A&M will enter as the clear favorite against a 3-6 South Carolina team (1-6 in SEC play). However, Elko remains alert to the danger posed by Stewart, who has recorded 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles this season.
The Gamecocks’ defense has also kept them competitive throughout the year, but Reed’s focus is on payback.
“It is personal,” Reed said. “They were one of the teams that kind of got us out of getting into the playoffs last year. They took us out of the SEC Championship conversation.”
Reed has thrown for 2,193 yards and 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 378 yards and six more scores. In last week’s win over Missouri, he completed 20 of 29 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, earning a spot in the Davey O’Brien Award’s “Great 8” list.
Reed also remains firmly in the Heisman conversation with quarterbacks like Ohio State’s Julian, having produced seven games with over 250 total yards and multiple touchdowns.