The Ags are having a high turnover rate, and none of the Texas A&M football players will return in 2025.

The Texas A&M Aggies football program has experienced significant turbulence in recent years, and the current state of the team reflects an unprecedented period of change and uncertainty. As the 2024 season comes to a close, the Aggies are facing an extraordinary situation: a high turnover rate within the program, coupled with the unusual development that none of their current players will be returning for the 2025 season. This shift marks a turning point for one of the more storied programs in college football and raises questions about the future direction of the team.

While college football has always been characterized by change—whether due to player graduation, NFL draft declarations, or coaching staff changes—the current situation at Texas A&M has been startling in its magnitude. With nearly every player expected to move on in some capacity, whether through the NFL Draft, transfer portal, or other means, the Aggies are facing a complete overhaul of their roster. But what led to this mass exodus, and what does it mean for the future of Texas A&M football?

In this article, we will explore the causes behind the high turnover rate at Texas A&M, how the program got to this point, and what lies ahead for the Aggies. We will break down the implications for players, coaches, and the program as a whole and examine how Texas A&M can recover from this unprecedented situation.

1. A Brief History of Texas A&M Football

Before diving into the specifics of the current crisis, it’s essential to understand the broader context of Texas A&M football. The Aggies are one of the most prominent programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and in all of college football. Historically, Texas A&M has been a competitive force, with several national championships to its name, though it has often been on the fringes of elite contention in the modern era.

Under head coach Jimbo Fisher, who took over in 2018, the Aggies had high expectations. Fisher, a national championship-winning coach with Florida State, was expected to bring sustained success to Texas A&M, culminating in a potential SEC championship and a shot at the College Football Playoff. Fisher’s recruiting classes were highly regarded, and he was entrusted with turning the program into a perennial powerhouse.

However, despite the promise, the Aggies have struggled to meet those lofty expectations during Fisher’s tenure. The team has had its fair share of ups and downs, with some strong seasons—such as the 2020 season when Texas A&M finished in the top-5 of the final rankings—but has failed to consistently contend for conference titles. This inconsistency, combined with increasing scrutiny over the program’s performance, has led to significant turnover both in terms of coaching staff and players.

In 2025, however, things will look radically different for Texas A&M. None of the players currently on the roster are expected to return, signaling a complete shift in the program’s culture and structure.

2. The Impact of the Transfer Portal on Texas A&M

In recent years, the NCAA Transfer Portal has had a profound impact on college football, and Texas A&M is no exception. The portal allows players to transfer to different programs with relative ease, providing athletes more flexibility than ever before. While the portal has undoubtedly helped players in some situations, it has also created instability within many college football programs. Texas A&M has seen a significant number of players enter the portal in recent seasons, and the 2024 season was no different.

Several factors contribute to this high turnover rate, with one of the most significant being the internal culture of the program. Many players have reportedly struggled with the coaching staff’s approach, with some dissatisfied with playing time, the overall direction of the program, or the intensity of competition within the locker room. The constant changes in coaching staff and shifting schemes have likely contributed to these feelings of frustration.

Additionally, Texas A&M has been a prime destination for high-profile recruits, but not all of them have panned out as expected. Some high-ranking recruits have found it difficult to adjust to the level of competition in the SEC, while others have struggled with the pressure that comes with playing for such a high-profile program. For these reasons, the transfer portal has been a natural outlet for players seeking to move on to other schools.

The influx of players leaving for other programs has left Texas A&M with a roster that’s in constant flux, with new faces joining each year and key contributors departing. With a high turnover rate, there is a sense that the program is stuck in a cycle of rebuilding and retooling, never able to find the stability needed to reach the top.

3. Coaching Instability and Program Direction

Another critical factor contributing to the mass exodus at Texas A&M is coaching instability. Since Jimbo Fisher took over in 2018, the Aggies have faced significant challenges in maintaining consistency with their coaching staff. While Fisher himself remains in place as head coach, the program has experienced a high turnover rate at the assistant coach level.

Coaching turnover can have a massive impact on the success of a college football program. It leads to instability in player development, as coaches who recruit players may leave before those players reach their full potential. When players don’t feel aligned with their coaching staff, it can lead to discontent, which often results in transfers or players leaving the program altogether.

Moreover, Texas A&M’s inability to consistently win in the highly competitive SEC has resulted in increasing pressure on Fisher to deliver results. The Aggies have never finished higher than 5th in the final SEC standings under Fisher, and their lack of success in key games has made it harder for the program to maintain long-term player retention. The result has been a program in constant transition, with players feeling the need to find greener pastures elsewhere.

4. The Future of Texas A&M Football: A Complete Overhaul

With the news that no current players will be returning to the program in 2025, Texas A&M football is facing a complete overhaul. This is an unprecedented situation in college football, and it leaves the program with several critical decisions to make.

Rebuilding the Roster

For Texas A&M, one of the first priorities will be to rebuild the roster. Without any returning players, the Aggies will have to rely heavily on recruiting, specifically through the transfer portal. As it stands, the team will have an entirely new group of players, many of whom will need to adapt quickly to the demands of the SEC.

The Aggies’ recruiting efforts will be under a microscope, as they look to secure talent that can contribute immediately. They will likely focus on adding experienced players from the transfer portal, especially those who have proven themselves in high-level programs. These veteran players will be expected to provide leadership in the locker room and on the field as Texas A&M attempts to bounce back from this turnover crisis.

Coaching Stability Moving Forward

With the program in such a state of flux, Texas A&M’s leadership will also need to address the issue of coaching stability. For the team to have long-term success, the program must create a clear and cohesive vision that players can buy into. Whether this means retaining Jimbo Fisher for the long haul or seeking out a new direction, decisions regarding the coaching staff will be paramount to the success of the next few years.

The Aggies’ athletic department will need to provide Fisher (or potentially a new coach) with the resources necessary to establish a successful program, one that can recruit, develop talent, and compete at the highest level in the SEC. This may involve investing in new facilities, upgrading player support systems, and ensuring that coaching staff members are aligned in their goals and philosophies.

Rebuilding the Culture

Culture is one of the most crucial elements of any football program. Texas A&M has faced issues with retaining players, and this points to a need for a cultural reset. Players need to feel valued and supported in the program, and they need to believe that they have a chance to succeed within the system. Whether the Aggies stick with their current coaching staff or hire a new one, creating a positive, competitive, and supportive culture will be essential.

Additionally, Texas A&M needs to focus on improving its internal processes to make sure that player development and mental health are top priorities. The mass exodus of players can often be a result of an environment that doesn’t foster growth or well-being, so addressing these concerns should be a priority for the program moving forward.

5. The SEC and College Football Landscape

In the context of the broader college football landscape, the SEC remains one of the most challenging and competitive conferences in the nation. Texas A&M’s struggles to find consistent success in the conference highlight the difficulty of competing at the highest level, particularly when programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU dominate year after year.

For Texas A&M to find success in the SEC, it will need to address its roster turnover issues and rebuild its program with a strong foundation. The pressure to win will only increase, especially as the conference continues to expand and evolve. For the Aggies to break through and become a consistent contender, they will need to find stability, recruit effectively, and build a winning culture that attracts and retains talent.