What Holmon Wiggins Said About Expectations for Texas A&M’s RB Room

First-year offensive coordinator will focus on the ground game, and he has strong expectations for the running back room.

Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow (23) takes the handoff from quarterback Marcel Reed (10) during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The game plan is simple: the Texas A&M Aggies will run the football. With over 2,400 rushing yards as a team through 13 games, the Aggies were fourth in the SEC and ran the ball on 54.9% of their plays.

Things are not expected to change in Year 1 of Holmon Wiggins as the offensive coordinator. Despite his history as a wide receivers coach, he is also a former running back, and he understands how the two phases of the offense affect and benefit each other.

Rueben Owens II and Jamarion Morrow will have a significant role on an offense that has utilized multiple running backs. Wiggins is ready to establish the run, and both will have plenty of opportunities this season.

Rueben Owens II, Jamarion Morrow Set for Big Roles

Texas A&M Aggies running back Rueben Owens II runs the ball as Miami Hurricanes linebacker Raul Aguirre Jr. defends during the second half at Kyle Field. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Third-year wideout Ashton Bethel-Roman likened the Aggies’ offensive system under Wiggins to an air raid offense. Talking to the media on April 2, Wiggins laughed that off and said, “Hopefully, that's a misnomer because everything that we do is going to start with the run.”

Wiggins went further into depth on how he would marry the passing and running game. Given his unique background as a wide receivers coach and former college running back, he understands the dynamics at play.

“I'm an old running back myself, so we're going to lean on the backs of those guys up front. We're going to sit there and create movement, run the ball with a physical run style and we're going to use the RPO game for teams that want to overcommit guys, and we're going to push the ball down the field with our play-action pass if they want to do it as well.”

Texas A&M will be without several impact running backs from last season, as Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels and EJ Smith IV all head to the NFL. The trio combined for 162 carries, 825 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. However, the Aggies’ leading rusher, Owens, is returning after totalling 639 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed and running back Rueben Owens II during the first quarter against the Utah State Aggies at Kyle Field. | Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

“I felt like at the tail end of the year, and where he is now, he's just picking up stride and continuing to create momentum,” Wiggins said. “And hopefully that ends up showcasing as the season comes on.”

Quarterback Marcel Reed’s return is also a boon for the Aggies’ running game, as he was second in rushing yards with 493 and tied for the team-high of six rushing touchdowns. His involvement in the designed running game makes the team so dangerous on the ground, especially considering how variable the team can be.

The Aggies ran nearly equal parts gap and zone on the ground, and six different players had more than 40 carries last season. The latter was in part due to injuries to players like Moss, but the Aggies have utilized multiple backs for years.

In 2024, Daniels and Moss split most of the work, with Owens injured and appearing in just two games. In 2023, nearly all three recorded 100 carries each.

With Daniels and Moss on their way out, Owens moves into a more prominent role, but one young running back who showed promise in 2025 could be involved as well.

Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

As a member of the 2025 recruiting class, Morrow played in all 13 games for Texas A&M as a true freshman and played in 13 games. He showed some flashes, including 52 rushing yards against Samford and 50 scrimmage yards against LSU, and his quick, twitchy play style could be a strong complement to Owens as the lead back.

However, Morrow is young and still developing, and his smaller frame could limit him. Listed at 5'9” and 205 pounds, he is smaller than players like Owens (5’11”, 215) or Tiger Riden Jr. (5'10", 212), but he could find his role within the offense. Wiggins said that he has challenged Morrow to get into the best shape for his role.

“Morrow, I've pushed him because he's been a guy that has dealt with some stuff, and I think it was just the fact of where his weight was, and now you see him trim a little bit of that off, and he's actually playing faster. I think he has a great understanding of what we're trying to do,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins made it clear what he wanted from his team earlier in the offseason. He wants the Aggies to be a disciplined, focused team, but he wants to play fast and physical. Everything will be centered around Reed, and the passing game will be built through the ground game as Texas A&M looks to control the pace of play in every game.

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