According to ESPN’s Returning Production rankings, where is Texas A&M football ranked?

As college football fans eagerly look forward to the 2025 season, teams across the country are using spring practices, recruiting, and roster evaluations to position themselves for success. For Texas A&M football, a program that has long been a force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and a contender in the college football playoff conversation, understanding where they stand in the national landscape is crucial. This is especially true when it comes to ESPN’s Returning Production rankings, a tool used by analysts and coaches alike to evaluate the level of experience and continuity within a program.

The “Returning Production” metric from ESPN provides an insightful look into how much of a team’s starting lineup and key contributors are coming back for the new season. This measurement considers both offensive and defensive production, giving a holistic view of the team’s potential based on how much talent from the previous year will be available in the current one. Understanding where Texas A&M ranks in ESPN’s Returning Production rankings is key to grasping the team’s potential heading into the 2025 season. So, let’s dive into where Texas A&M stands in these rankings and analyze what that means for their chances in the upcoming season.

ESPN’s Returning Production Rankings Explained

Before delving into Texas A&M’s specific ranking, it’s important to understand what ESPN’s Returning Production rankings actually measure. At its core, the metric evaluates the returning contributions from players across both sides of the ball — offense and defense — by calculating the percentage of the previous season’s total production that is returning for the new season.

This includes:

• Offensive production: This accounts for returning players’ yardage, touchdowns, and overall offensive involvement, such as rushing yards, receiving yards, and passing yards.
• Defensive production: This looks at key defensive stats like tackles, interceptions, sacks, and forced fumbles, among other metrics.

It’s important to note that returning production can be an indicator of a team’s stability and experience. Teams that have a lot of returning starters are often seen as more cohesive and ready to compete for championships because they don’t have to deal with as much turnover. Conversely, programs with high levels of turnover in key positions may take time to develop chemistry and refine systems under new personnel. The Returning Production metric is, therefore, one of the many valuable tools for assessing a team’s potential.

Texas A&M’s Position in ESPN’s Returning Production Rankings for 2025

According to ESPN’s Returning Production rankings for the 2025 college football season, Texas A&M sits at No. 17 overall. This ranking places the Aggies in the upper echelon of college football teams when it comes to experience and returning talent, but it’s important to note that while being in the top 20 is a positive, it’s still a position where there is both promise and some challenges ahead.

Let’s break down the key components of Texas A&M’s returning production, which helps explain why they are ranked as they are, and what fans and analysts can expect in 2025.

Offensive Returning Production

On the offensive side of the ball, Texas A&M has some key players returning, including contributors at both the skill positions and along the offensive line. Returning production in the offensive department is crucial for any program looking to make a statement in the competitive SEC, as a strong offense can lead to more balanced play and fewer mistakes in games against top-tier defenses.

Quarterback Position

One of the most significant factors in Texas A&M’s returning offensive production is the quarterback position. After some inconsistency and struggles in previous years, the Aggies have a returning quarterback in Conner Weigman, who showed promise as a true freshman in 2024. With another year of development, a higher comfort level in Jimbo Fisher’s system, and a chance to get familiar with his offensive line and wide receivers, Weigman is expected to be a key piece of Texas A&M’s offense in 2025. His ability to grow as a leader and continue improving his decision-making will play a huge role in Texas A&M’s success.

Wide Receivers

Texas A&M returns a strong group of wide receivers, including Evan Stewart, a player who has proven to be an explosive option in the passing game. Along with Stewart, Ainias Smith and Mohammad Toure also return, giving Weigman a seasoned and talented group of playmakers to work with. This veteran presence in the receiving corps, combined with the growth of the quarterback, should give Texas A&M the tools it needs to run an efficient and dangerous passing attack.

Offensive Line

The offensive line is another area of concern for Texas A&M, but with experience returning along the front, the Aggies should have an opportunity to improve. While they didn’t have a standout offensive line in 2024, returning several key players should help solidify the protection for Weigman and open up opportunities for the running backs. The offensive line has often been a point of frustration for the program, but the hope is that the consistency of returning starters can provide a better foundation.

Running Back

Texas A&M also returns depth in the backfield, with Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss expected to play pivotal roles. A strong running game is essential for any offense, and with a solid offensive line and experienced skill players around him, Weigman should benefit from a more balanced offensive attack in 2025. If the running backs can produce effectively, it will ease the pressure on the passing game, making it more difficult for opposing defenses to stack the box or fully focus on stopping the quarterback.

Defensive Returning Production

On the defensive side of the ball, Texas A&M brings back several important contributors, though there are some key departures, especially in the defensive front. Despite some turnover, the Aggies’ defense is expected to be a strength heading into 2025, primarily because of the talent returning at the linebacker and defensive back positions.

Defensive Line

The defensive line is an area of concern, with Texas A&M losing some key players who were integral parts of their defensive success. However, they return players like McKinnley Jackson and Shemar Turner, who are expected to step into even bigger roles in 2025. Texas A&M will need a strong pass rush and run defense to compete at the highest level, and the returning production from this group will play a big part in the team’s ability to control the line of scrimmage.

Linebacker Corps

The linebacker corps for Texas A&M in 2025 looks promising, with Edgerrin Cooper and Chris Russell returning to anchor the defense. Both players have the potential to be disruptive on defense, and their leadership will be invaluable to a unit that may need to rely on younger players in certain positions.

Secondary

The secondary for Texas A&M is arguably the most well-equipped unit in terms of returning production. The Aggies have Jaylon Jones and Denver Harris back, two players who are expected to play pivotal roles as lockdown cornerbacks. Texas A&M’s defensive backfield will be tested in the high-powered offenses of the SEC, and these two players, along with others, will need to be key contributors in the pass defense.

What Does This Ranking Mean for Texas A&M’s 2025 Season?

With a ranking of No. 17 in ESPN’s Returning Production rankings, Texas A&M enters the 2025 season with a solid foundation of returning talent. However, with that talent comes a few challenges and questions that need to be answered. The Aggies’ offense is in a good position, especially with the return of key players like Conner Weigman and Evan Stewart. But the success of the offensive line and the development of the running game will be critical in determining how effective the Aggies can be in a high-powered SEC.

Defensively, Texas A&M has the pieces to be a strong unit, but it will depend on how well they can replace some of the production lost in the defensive front. The linebackers and secondary are solid, but the defensive line will need to make strides to ensure that they can consistently pressure the quarterback and limit opposing offenses’ effectiveness.

In conclusion, Texas A&M’s ranking of No. 17 in ESPN’s Returning Production rankings is a positive sign for the team’s prospects in 2025. With a mixture of experienced veterans and talented underclassmen returning across all positions, the Aggies are in a favorable position to compete at a high level in the SEC. If they can continue to develop their young talent, shore up some of the weaknesses, and stay healthy throughout the season, the Aggies could very well be a force to be reckoned with in the race for the SEC title and a potential playoff berth. Fans can expect exciting and competitive football, as Texas A&M looks to continue its rise as one of the premier programs in college football.