Texas A&M will be losing two veterans in its 2026 running back class, including Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, as head coach Mike Elko and running backs coach Trooper Taylor have yet to add a running back from the portal, which could change in the coming days or weeks. However, incoming redshirt junior Rueben Owens, who took over as the No. 1 RB after Moss was injured, is a name to watch heading into the 2026 season.
The former five-star prospect, who chose the Aggies over the Texas Longhorns in the 2023 recruiting class, saw action as a key backup during his freshman season, rushing for 385 yards and three touchdowns and catching 109 yards. However, Moss and Owens were 1-2 before the 2024 season, Mike Elko’s first season, and took a back seat after Owens suffered an ACL injury during the preseason.
advertise
Owens missed all but two games but made a full recovery, and after Le’Veon Moss suffered an ankle injury in the Aggies’ midseason win over Florida State, the El Campo, Texas, native rushed for a career-high 142 yards against Mississippi State as a starter to lead the Aggies’ backfield to four straight wins.
However, his production dipped toward the end of the year, averaging 3.7 yards per carry and 3 yards per carry in first-round College Football Playoff losses to Texas and Miami. Mike Elko said fixing the running game is a focus this offseason after the loss to the Hurricanes, who will now face Indiana in the national championship game on Jan. 19.
After losing four offensive linemen to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Aggies found four possible replacements, including LSU tackle Tyree Adams and LSU linebacker and A&M commit Coen Echols. If the running back situation improves next season, Ruben Owens, who officially announced his return on Saturday, shouldn’t have trouble finding a break.
With the help of a deep running back room that includes incoming sophomore Jamarion Morrow, sophomore Tiger Riden and incoming freshmen KJ Edwards and Carsyn Baker, this team is in solid shape even if the Aggies don’t transfer back.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire Follow our Facebook page on X (formerly Twitter) for ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
advertise
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens announced to return in 2026
