The 2025 college football season hasn’t kicked off yet, but the buzz around Texas A&M’s top-tier talent is already reaching fever pitch. The Walter Camp Football Foundation unveiled its prestigious Preseason All-America teams, and two Aggie standouts—right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams and linebacker Taurean York—have officially made the cut.
In a program surging with expectations under head coach Mike Elko, these two battle-tested leaders are not just cornerstones of the current roster—they’re living proof that elite performance and relentless development can transform overlooked recruits into national stars.
From Under-the-Radar to Under-the-Lights: York Earns First-Team Honors
When Taurean York arrived in College Station as a three-star prospect, few could’ve predicted the meteoric rise that would follow. Fast forward to 2025, and York is a preseason Walter Camp First-Team All-American, an accolade reserved only for the best of the best in college football.
And make no mistake—York earned every bit of it.
Though the junior linebacker started slow last season, he erupted down the stretch. His stat line was nothing short of electric:
- Team-leading 82 tackles
- 9.5 tackles for loss (second on the team)
- 2.5 sacks
- 4 pass breakups
- 1 interception
From day one, York proved he had the football IQ, grit, and heart of a veteran. Now, he’s being projected as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, a staggering leap for a player once doubted due to his size and recruiting rank.
Reed-Adams: From Kansas Transfer to A&M’s Most Dominant Force
If York is the heart of the defense, then Ar’maj Reed-Adams is the soul of the offense. A second-team preseason All-American selection by Walter Camp, Reed-Adams is entering the 2025 season as arguably the most feared interior lineman in the country.
After transferring from Kansas, the senior right guard wasted no time asserting himself in the SEC trenches. With 43 career appearances and 27 starts, he brought veteran savvy to a young offensive line and quickly became the top-ranked run blocker in the nation.
And it’s not just experts giving him recognition.
EA Sports’ soon-to-be-released College Football 26 video game rated Reed-Adams a 93 overall—the highest-rated player on Texas A&M’s entire roster. It’s rare for a guard to generate that kind of mainstream hype, but Reed-Adams isn’t your typical lineman. He’s a one-man wrecking crew with elite footwork, violent hands, and a football IQ that borders on uncanny.
The Elko Effect: Culture, Grit, and NFL-Caliber Development
In just a short time, Mike Elko’s influence has become clear. Texas A&M is no longer just recruiting stars—they’re developing them. Players like York and Reed-Adams aren’t anomalies. They are the embodiment of a culture shift—a movement that values strength in the weight room, leadership in the locker room, and surgical execution on the field.
Both players have packed on muscle this offseason and taken command roles within the program. Alongside senior left tackle Trey Zuhn III, the trio of captains is expected to be the backbone of an A&M squad that has SEC contention—and beyond—clearly in its sights.
Eyes on the Opener: The Countdown Begins
Circle the date: Saturday, August 30, 6 p.m. CT. That’s when Texas A&M officially begins its 2025 campaign with a primetime showdown against UTSA, live on ESPN. And all eyes will be on #York and #ReedAdams as they look to unleash their preseason promise under the lights.
The expectations are sky-high. The recognition is already rolling in. And for Taurean York and Ar’maj Reed-Adams, this isn’t just a season—it’s their final proving ground before the NFL comes calling.
Final Word: The Aggies’ Engine Runs Through These Two
Two players. Two leaders. Two potential legends.
York and Reed-Adams aren’t just preseason All-Americans—they’re the blueprint for what the new era of Texas A&M football is all about. They were doubted. They were overlooked. Now they’re dominating.
And they’re just getting started.
