5 Key Aggies Who Must Step Up in 2025 for Texas A&M to Make a Playoff Push
5 Key Aggies Who Must Step Up in 2025 for Texas A&M to Make a Playoff Push
The Texas A&M Aggies have long been a powerhouse in college football, full of potential and talent. However, despite their immense resources and recruiting successes, they’ve struggled to reach the level of consistent national contention. For head coach Jimbo Fisher, the 2025 season presents a crucial opportunity to push this team to new heights and finally make a serious run at the College Football Playoff (CFP). As the Aggies head into a new season with a host of talented players, several key individuals will need to elevate their performances in order for Texas A&M to achieve its lofty goals.
In this piece, we’ll take a look at five key players who must step up for the Aggies to contend for a spot in the CFP in 2025. These players come from different positions and have varying levels of experience, but all have a significant role to play in shaping the team’s future.
1. Conner Weigman – Quarterback
No discussion about Texas A&M’s playoff aspirations in 2025 would be complete without mentioning Conner Weigman, the team’s starting quarterback. As one of the most promising quarterbacks in the SEC, Weigman has the potential to be the difference-maker for the Aggies’ offense. Having shown flashes of brilliance as a freshman, the pressure will be on him to prove that he can lead the team on a consistent basis, especially in the face of stiff competition in one of the toughest conferences in college football.
Weigman’s sophomore year in 2025 will be pivotal. In his debut season, he showed tremendous poise, impressive arm strength, and the ability to make all the throws needed to be a successful quarterback at the collegiate level. But there’s more to it than just raw talent. Weigman will need to build chemistry with his receivers, improve his decision-making under pressure, and avoid turnovers. Texas A&M’s offense needs a stable, consistent presence under center, and Weigman will be tasked with delivering just that.
His ability to manage the game, make plays with his arm, and keep defenses honest with his mobility will be critical for the Aggies in 2025. If Weigman can take the next step in his development and become a reliable, dynamic leader, Texas A&M’s playoff hopes will be significantly bolstered.
2. Evan Stewart – Wide Receiver
The Aggies have a talented receiving corps, and Evan Stewart is perhaps the most explosive weapon in that group. After a strong freshman season in 2023, Stewart showed he can be a game-changer with his speed, route-running ability, and hands. Heading into 2025, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound wideout will need to step up and become one of the top wide receivers in the SEC for the Aggies to be in playoff contention.
With Weigman at quarterback, Stewart has the potential to form a dangerous connection that could make the Aggies’ offense unpredictable and difficult to stop. But for Stewart to become the type of game-changing player Texas A&M needs, he must prove that he can consistently make plays in big moments and create separation against elite defenses. This means he’ll need to refine his route running, improve his ability to track the ball, and provide a reliable target in the red zone.
The Aggies’ offense has often lacked the explosiveness needed to compete with the conference’s best teams, and Stewart’s development as a true No. 1 wide receiver could be the key to unlocking the full potential of the offense. If he can stay healthy, play with consistency, and become a go-to option for Weigman, Texas A&M could have one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the SEC.
3. Demani Richardson – Safety
The defensive side of the ball will also play a critical role in Texas A&M’s pursuit of a playoff berth, and one of the key players in the Aggies’ defense is Demani Richardson, the senior safety. As one of the most experienced players on the roster, Richardson will be expected to be a leader in the secondary and one of the emotional leaders of the defense.
Over the past few seasons, Richardson has been known for his physicality and ability to make plays on the ball. In 2025, he’ll be expected to take on an even bigger role, both as a tackler and a playmaker. The Aggies’ defense has the potential to be one of the best in the nation, but they will need Richardson to elevate his game and stay healthy throughout the season. As a senior, Richardson will have the opportunity to set the tone for the younger players around him, leading by example both on and off the field.
Texas A&M’s defense is typically strong, but their struggles against high-powered offenses in the SEC have often cost them key games. Richardson must be a consistent force in the secondary, shutting down passing attacks and helping to create turnovers. His ability to be a versatile defender, capable of playing in the box, covering receivers, and patrolling the deep secondary, will be pivotal for Texas A&M as they aim to make a playoff run.
4. Shemar Stewart – Defensive Line
The defensive line will be a key area for the Aggies in 2025, and Shemar Stewart, a former 5-star recruit, has all the tools to be a dominant force. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 315 pounds, Stewart possesses both the size and athleticism to wreak havoc in the trenches. After a strong freshman season, Stewart is poised to make a major leap in his sophomore campaign.
Texas A&M has long prided itself on its defense, and a dominant pass rush is essential for the Aggies to compete with SEC powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. Stewart has the ability to be a game-wrecker, and the Aggies will rely on him to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, disrupt the running game, and create opportunities for the secondary to make plays.
In 2025, Stewart will need to continue to refine his technique, develop a more consistent motor, and be a leader in the front seven. If he can evolve into one of the premier pass rushers in the SEC, he could be a game-changer for the Aggies’ defense, allowing them to take that next step toward playoff contention. Stewart’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage could ultimately be the difference-maker in some of Texas A&M’s biggest games.
5. Ainias Smith – Wide Receiver
While Evan Stewart may be the top option for Conner Weigman, Ainias Smith is another key player who will be crucial to the Aggies’ success in 2025. The veteran receiver, who has been a steady contributor for Texas A&M over the past few seasons, returns for his final year with the Aggies, and he has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best wideouts in program history.
Smith is a versatile player who can line up both inside and outside, and he is also a threat in the return game. His experience, playmaking ability, and leadership will be invaluable for a young offense that will look to develop further under Weigman. The Aggies have often lacked a consistent second option at wide receiver behind their top players, and Smith has the potential to fill that void in 2025.
In addition to his ability as a receiver, Smith’s leadership on and off the field will be critical for Texas A&M’s chances of success. As one of the most experienced players in the program, Smith will need to set the tone for the younger wide receivers, helping to elevate their game and providing a consistent threat across the field. If Smith can stay healthy and make plays on a regular basis, Texas A&M’s offense could become one of the most dynamic in the SEC.
