According to ESPN’s Bill Connelly, Texas A&M will be a major contender in 2025.

As college football programs gear up for the upcoming seasons, there are always certain teams that stand out due to their potential, talent, and promising futures. In 2025, one such team that has been placed under the spotlight is the Texas A&M Aggies, and the projection comes from an unlikely source—the respected ESPN college football analyst Bill Connelly. Known for his deep statistical approach and insights into program development, Connelly’s projection has sparked excitement within the Aggies’ fanbase and has raised questions about what could be in store for the program.

Connelly, who is known for his in-depth analysis and his development of the SP+ system, a measure of team performance that adjusts for schedule strength, has placed Texas A&M firmly in the category of a major contender for the 2025 college football season. For Texas A&M, a program with a storied history but often plagued by inconsistent seasons in recent years, this kind of projection from a respected analyst is noteworthy. The question remains: can the Aggies truly make the leap to national contention in 2025? This article will take an in-depth look at why Connelly has such confidence in the Aggies’ future and what key factors could make Texas A&M a true contender for the College Football Playoff.

The Current State of Texas A&M Football

Before diving into why Bill Connelly believes Texas A&M will be a breakout team in 2025, it’s essential to understand the current trajectory of the program. Head coach Jimbo Fisher entered Texas A&M with high expectations when he was hired in 2018. Fisher, coming off a national championship win at Florida State, was tasked with taking Texas A&M to new heights, especially given the program’s historical resources and the Texas high school football pipeline.

However, despite landing top-tier recruiting classes year after year and securing massive financial backing from donors, Fisher’s tenure has been marked by inconsistency. The Aggies have been close but haven’t been able to fully break through to the upper echelons of college football. In 2020, the Aggies finished 9-1, with their only loss coming in a tight game against Alabama, but still missed out on a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP). In 2021, a highly touted Texas A&M squad underperformed, finishing with an 8-4 record and falling short of any major bowl games.

However, the hiring of Mike Elko as the defensive coordinator in 2018 has made a significant impact, as Elko has managed to solidify the Aggies’ defense, turning them into one of the more stingy units in the country. Even so, it has been the lack of consistent offensive production, particularly at the quarterback position, that has hampered Texas A&M’s rise to prominence.

Bill Connelly’s Confidence in Texas A&M’s 2025 Prospects

Bill Connelly’s confidence in Texas A&M’s ability to become a major contender in 2025 comes from a combination of factors—recruiting, team development, and key personnel changes. Connelly has consistently ranked the Aggies highly in his SP+ rankings, a predictive measure that uses efficiency statistics to project future performance. According to Connelly, the 2025 season could be when everything comes together for the Aggies.

1. Recruiting Success

A primary reason Connelly is bullish on Texas A&M’s chances is the program’s recruiting success. Fisher has put together multiple top-five recruiting classes, and the Aggies’ roster has been loaded with talent. In fact, the 2022 recruiting class was widely considered one of the best in the history of college football, and it will be these young players that could help the Aggies break through in 2025.

Fisher’s recruiting has focused on building depth across the roster, ensuring that Texas A&M is not just loaded with talent in one or two positions, but rather, across the entire team. With a stable of elite talent at key positions—especially quarterback, wide receiver, and the defensive line—the Aggies have the potential to dominate.

The 2025 roster will be filled with former 5-star recruits like Demond Demas at wide receiver, Bryce Anderson in the secondary, and Walter Nolen on the defensive line. If these players develop as expected and mesh well with the returning stars, the Aggies could have one of the most talented rosters in the country.

2. Quarterback Play

Connelly’s projection hinges in large part on the development of the quarterback position, which has been a consistent weak point for Texas A&M in recent years. Under Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies have cycled through several quarterbacks, including Kellen Mond (now in the NFL) and Haynes King, but none have been able to elevate the program to elite status.

However, the situation at quarterback has been trending upwards. Conner Weigman, the highly touted freshman from 2022, looks to be the next great quarterback at Texas A&M. Weigman showed flashes of brilliance in his debut season, and if he can continue to develop under Fisher’s tutelage, he has the potential to lead the Aggies to new heights. With a strong arm, mobility, and high football IQ, Weigman has all the tools to be a top-tier quarterback in the SEC.

For Connelly, quarterback play is one of the most important factors when projecting a team’s future success, and with Weigman’s development, Texas A&M’s offense could take a major step forward in 2025. With the Aggies’ stable of talent at wide receiver and running back, Weigman will have ample opportunities to succeed if he is able to develop into the player many believe he can be.

3. Defensive Strength

Another key factor behind Connelly’s projection is Texas A&M’s defense, which has been consistently among the best in the SEC under defensive coordinator Mike Elko. While the Aggies’ offense has had its ups and downs in recent seasons, the defense has been a constant bright spot, ranking highly in total defense, scoring defense, and passing defense.

In 2025, Texas A&M is expected to return several key players from the defensive side of the ball, including Walter Nolen (defensive tackle), Demani Richardson (safety), and Fadil Diggs (edge rusher). The strength of the defense will allow Texas A&M to stay competitive in every game and keep them in contention even if the offense takes time to fully click.

Having a top-tier defense is crucial in the SEC, where teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently field high-powered offenses. The Aggies’ defense could be the difference-maker that pushes them into contention for the College Football Playoff.

4. Schedule and Conference Play

While Texas A&M has struggled at times against SEC competition, Connelly’s projection takes into account the Aggies’ schedule and how it stacks up against the rest of the SEC. Texas A&M’s 2025 schedule includes tough matchups with traditional SEC powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, but the Aggies will also have opportunities for key victories in cross-divisional play. Their success will depend on how they perform in these marquee games, but with an improved roster and coaching staff, Connelly sees a path for Texas A&M to contend for an SEC West title.

In particular, a game against Alabama at home and a road trip to Georgia will be critical for Texas A&M’s chances of not only winning the division but also earning a spot in the CFP. If they can upset one or both of these juggernauts, the Aggies will have a strong case for the playoff.

Challenges Ahead for Texas A&M

While the future is bright for Texas A&M, there are certainly challenges ahead. The Aggies play in one of the most competitive conferences in college football, and their success in 2025 will depend on how well they manage to navigate the tough SEC West. Additionally, the team will need to maintain consistency at quarterback, as Weigman’s development is key to their success.

Moreover, the pressure on Jimbo Fisher to deliver on the promise of his recruiting classes is mounting. Fisher has earned a hefty salary and top-tier facilities, but fans and boosters will expect results. If the Aggies fail to live up to expectations in 2025, questions about Fisher’s long-term future at Texas A&M may arise.