Why the returning production of Texas A&M football, which is already great, is misleadingly low

The intricacies of college football analysis can often lead to misleading conclusions, especially when the metrics used to evaluate a team’s potential fail to capture the full picture. One such instance is the narrative surrounding Texas A&M football’s returning production. While it’s true that the Aggies are ranked relatively low in terms of returning production, this number does not fully reflect the team’s potential, the depth they’ve built, and the experience already on their roster. Instead, the rankings of returning production fail to account for several important factors that make Texas A&M’s 2025 season much more promising than many realize.

In this article, we’ll break down why the returning production statistic can be misleading, why Texas A&M’s football team is in a stronger position than it might appear, and how this factors into the Aggies’ expectations for the future.

Understanding Returning Production

Before diving into the nuances of why Texas A&M’s returning production might be misleading, it’s important to understand what exactly is being measured. Returning production typically refers to the percentage of a team’s offensive and defensive snaps that are retained from the previous season. This includes key players who have gained experience in various positions, such as quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and the defensive line.

However, this statistic is inherently reductionist. It relies on hard numbers—snap counts and player returns—without considering the quality of those players, the coaching development, and the context of player performance. As a result, while returning production can be helpful for evaluating a team’s baseline, it does not paint the full picture of a program’s potential.

Texas A&M’s Low Ranking in Returning Production

On paper, Texas A&M football ranks relatively low in terms of returning production. This is due to several factors, including the departure of key players from the previous season and the fact that several players on the roster have been inconsistent or have not yet reached their full potential. The Aggies’ struggles over the past few seasons have resulted in departures, while some players were sidelined with injuries, further lowering the team’s overall returning production metric.

For instance, Texas A&M lost a number of crucial contributors from the previous year, including standout wide receiver Aniah Johnson and running back Devon Achane, both of whom contributed significantly in their respective roles. However, even with these departures, the Aggies’ overall roster and their depth remain significantly more formidable than returning production rankings might suggest.

The Importance of Quality over Quantity

While it’s true that Texas A&M’s snap count from the previous season might seem lower than other elite programs, the quality of the returning players far outweighs the raw numbers. For example, while the Aggies might not have the highest number of returning offensive snaps, they retain key players at positions that truly matter—players who have proven their worth on the field in terms of both talent and experience.

One such player is Max Johnson, the Aggies’ returning quarterback, who will have an important role in shaping the offense. Johnson has already demonstrated an ability to play at a high level in the SEC, bringing leadership and stability to a position that can often be volatile. While he didn’t take every snap last season, his experience as the starting quarterback and his knowledge of the team’s offensive scheme make him one of the more veteran quarterbacks in the league.

Additionally, Jimbo Fisher’s offensive system has a tendency to develop players progressively. So even if certain returning players did not take as many snaps in 2024, their development over the offseason could mean that they are much more impactful in 2025. For example, tight ends, offensive linemen, and defensive backs who played in smaller roles during the previous season might now emerge as impact players. The development of younger players from year to year is an element that many returning production metrics overlook but is crucial to understanding a team’s true potential.

The Aggies’ Depth and Development

Another reason why the returning production metric is misleading is because it fails to account for depth and player development. Texas A&M is a program that has consistently recruited at a high level, which means they’ve built depth across the roster, even if certain players haven’t yet logged many snaps. It’s easy to focus on the number of returning players, but the quality of backups and players who are now poised to step into starting roles can make a big difference.

Consider the defensive side of the ball. Texas A&M has one of the deepest defensive line units in the SEC, even if some of the players who will step into starting roles have not seen significant playing time in the past. These players have been groomed and developed within the system, and many are expected to take significant leaps in 2025. The Aggies’ defensive coordinator, DJ Durkin, has consistently shown the ability to elevate his players, and with a deeper roster, Texas A&M’s defense could become one of the most formidable in the conference.

Moreover, with strong recruiting classes continually bolstering the roster, Texas A&M is well-positioned to reload rather than simply rebuild. The Aggies’ freshman and sophomore players, who may not have logged as many snaps in previous seasons, will be better prepared to step up as key contributors in 2025. Players like Ethan Burke, a linebacker, and Kobe Black, a cornerback, have shown flashes of brilliance in limited action, and with more playing time in 2025, they could make an instant impact.

This depth and player development are crucial in the SEC, where injuries and performance dips are inevitable. The ability of Texas A&M to seamlessly integrate talented but previously underutilized players into the starting lineup is a testament to the program’s strength and long-term vision. This depth and development are often underappreciated when evaluating the returning production, which tends to focus on the “starters” and their raw snap count numbers.

Coaching Stability and Scheme Continuity

While returning production metrics don’t account for it, another huge factor for Texas A&M is the stability of the coaching staff and continuity of the system. Head coach Jimbo Fisher, who has been with the Aggies since 2018, is one of the most respected coaches in college football. His offensive scheme and player development philosophies have produced numerous NFL-caliber players, and the continued coaching continuity provides a significant advantage over teams with high turnover in their staff.

With Fisher at the helm, Texas A&M has been able to develop a consistent identity, both offensively and defensively. The team’s ability to retain and develop talent year after year gives them an edge that the returning production metric fails to acknowledge. Fisher’s ability to adjust to personnel and create tailor-made schemes for players, especially younger or less-experienced ones, adds layers of complexity that make the Aggies more dangerous than their returning production number suggests.

When evaluating a team’s potential, it’s essential to consider how the scheme will evolve and how well the coaching staff is able to integrate new players into it. Texas A&M’s coaching stability ensures that returning players won’t just be returning to the same system but will also benefit from the experience and growth within that system. This continuity positions Texas A&M well to perform at a high level, even if some of the raw statistical metrics don’t necessarily support it.

The Aggies’ Potential for 2025 and Beyond

While returning production might show a misleadingly low number, it’s important to remember that Texas A&M is building toward something much bigger. With a talented roster full of athletes ready to break out, elite recruiting consistently fueling the program, and coaching stability offering a foundation for success, the Aggies’ 2025 season looks bright despite the low ranking in returning production.

In reality, Texas A&M could be one of the most dangerous teams in the SEC in 2025. The returning players are more experienced than their snap counts might suggest, and the incoming talent could make the Aggies a playoff contender once again. Whether it’s the growth of their key players, the development of young talent, or the overall depth of the roster, Texas A&M is in a strong position to exceed expectations.

As the program continues to mature and develop under Jimbo Fisher’s leadership, the misleadingly low returning production rankings will likely become a distant memory, with the Aggies emerging as one of the premier programs in the SEC and college football at large.

 Don’t Underestimate Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s returning production may seem low when compared to other top-tier teams, but this number doesn’t capture the full strength of the Aggies. With a well-rounded, deep roster, an elite coaching staff, and a program that has consistently recruited at a high level, Texas A&M is primed for success. While the returning production metric may look discouraging on the surface, the reality is that Texas A&M’s future is filled with potential and 2025 could be the year they prove everyone wrong.

In college football, it’s not always about who returns the most snaps—it’s about how well you develop your players, how strong your culture is, and how prepared your team is to perform when it matters most. The Aggies have the ingredients to overcome the misrepresentation of returning production

and achieve great things in 2025 and beyond.