COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M running back Rueben Owens is out for the 2024 season due to a lower-body injury suffered during Saturday’s scrimmage. If one position needed more help than any on the Aggie’s roster it had to be tailback due to already low numbers.
Owens burst onto the scene with the Aggies last season with 743 all-purpose yards and 3 touchdowns as a freshman. With a logjam at running back, he split carries with sophomores Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels.
Comfort might have been key to the Aggie’s stance for only bringing one transfer in. One misstep with a veteran running back could mess up the chemistry within the room.
What Texas A&M didn’t account for in the 2024 cycle was signing a high school running back. Which means the position group is void of any freshman this season and only has one commitment for 2025.
Of course, there are few walk-on options but they may be called upon given an emergency situation. However, depth is pretty dire now.
New offensive coordinator Collin Klein will have to manage carries at running back meticulously now that the Aggies are down to three scholarship options. One issue they lose with Owens’ injury is his diverse skillset as a do it all type.
“I think there’s some times, and with what we’ve been able to do with the tailback over the years in my history, be able to put them in a lot of positions in diverse ways get them the football and get them some touches,” Klein said following practice Aug. 6. “I love how hard they’re competing and how cohesive they are.”
Similar to Kevin Sumlin and Jimbo Fisher, Elko’s coaching staff is continuing a successful trend in recruiting. The Aggies currently sit No. 6 overall for the 2025 cycle with 20 prospects currently committed to the program.
5-star quarterback Husan Longstreet has a dynamic skillset for the next level. He flashes a very strong, accurate arm along with wheels to burn overly aggressive defenses. If the Aggies plan on taking the next step as a program it needs to go out and identify more than one tailback out of high school capable of being a dynamic playmaker.
Storied Texas high school program DeSoto produced 4-star DeonDrae Ridden first 2925. The 5-10, 195 pound tailback averaged nearly eight yards a carry last season en route to a 6A state title.
The best available running back is former Ole Miss commit Akylin Dear. However, the electric Mississippi native seems to be an Alabama lean after a short commitment to the Rebels. Dear rushed for 2.016 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior.
TEXAS A&M RUNNING BACK CHART
EJ Smith, Senior
Israel Benjamin, Senior
Le’Veon Moss, Junior
Amari Daniels, Junior
Anthony DiNota, Junior
Preston Landis, Sophomore
Reuben Owens, Sophomore
