Texas A&M’s wide receiver rotation took a hit after former North Carolina State transfer KC Concepcion was selected 24th overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first of a record 10 players drafted under second-year coach Mike Elko. After re-signing with the Aggies, junior WR Mario Craver now leads the 2026 rotation.
Last season, Craver finished second behind Concepcion with 917 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per catch and nearly 9 yards after the catch, ranked too 10 nationally. Widely seen as a first- or second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, Craver’s lack of size at 5’9″ is the only knock on the former Mississippi State transfer, who is by far the most important offensive player returning outside of starting quarterback Marcel Reed.
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Speaking of Reed, the incoming redshirt junior is coming off his own career year after passing for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns, but, as you’ve likely read more times than not, his 12 interceptions were tied for second in the SEC, and against a top-35 ranked opponent, the Tennessee native threw six touchdowns, eight interceptions, and completed just 59% of his passes, which led to back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Outside of four new starting offensive linemen, Marcel Reed taking the vaunted “next step” as a pocket passer will define the Aggies’ 2026 season, and while Mario Craver will serve as his No. 1 receiver, the offseason addition of Alabama transfer wideout Isaiah Horton could end up being one of the primary reasons the Aggies make it back to the CFP.
Before third-year coach Mike Elko, Marcel Reed, linebacker Daymion Sanford, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe speak during the third day of SEC Media Days on Wednesday, popular college football analyst Brooks Austin, also known as “The Film Guy,” spoke to TexAgs about Isaiah Horton’s potential impact in the Aggie passing game:
“Nothing will make offense easier for a quarterback than having an X, a true outside-the-numbers receiver” Austin stated to TexAgs. “I don’t think people realize how godd Isaiah Horton is.
During his lone season at Alabama, Horton reeled in 511 yards and 8 touchdowns, and enters his final collegiate season with 1,301 yards and 14 touchdowns. Standing 6’4″ and 208 pounds, Horton is one of the tallest receivers on the roster, and immediately provides Marcel Reed a go-to option on 50-50 balls, slants, and red zone targets.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: CFB analyst explains the importance of Texas A&M WR Isaiah Horton
