Texas A&M is seeing some serious gaps created by losing some players from the roster this offseason. The Aggies lost five crucial players—all of them wide receivers. No program like A&M is as desperate to place a solid WR on their roster. Mike Elko lost Micah Hudson to the transfer portal; Hudson was supposed to end the HC’s WR woes. However, Elko’s hopes aren’t dashed because he acquired a highly-rated prospect from the transfer portal. But how exactly will he fit into the HC’s renewed plan for a better season in 2025?
College Station lost Hudson, Noah Thomas, and Cyrus Allen to the transfer portal. WRs Jahdae Walker, Jabre Barber, and Moose Muhammad declared for the draft. Mike Elko is clearly at a loss in this room, with this department being a particular problem last season. Not a single Aggies player recorded 600+ receiving yards. Emerging talent Marcel Reed, who stepped in as quarterback last season, needs some backup at the receiving positions to fully maximise his impact. Elko still has Terry Bussey on the roster. But the staff had him playing multiple roles instead of focusing on him as a receiver. In this situation, Elko has NC State transfer Kevin Concepcion to rely on. With him on board, the HC can look for a better-performing offense to improve his record this season.
In a March 31 video, SEC Mike and Steven Lassan of That SEC Football Podcast discuss how Concepion could be of use. “I’m going to take – and I hate to take a transfer – I’m gonna take Kevin Concepion,” Lassan said. “I love the versatility that he had at NC State […] He brings you the ability to be a weapon in the passing game, he’s a weapon in the running game. And he’s also a weapon on special team.” Lassan explains the plays Kevin Concepcion could make that could be of benefit to Texas A&M. “You have to find ways to get him 10 to 15 touches. Maybe that’s a rush out of the slot, that’s a kick return, that’s some short passes where he can break a tackle and make a play.”
Lassan also suggested adding Mario Craver to this mix, which can help QB Marcel Reed execute more damage. Reed himself was a score for A&M, who decommitted from Ole Miss to join Elko. He would have been able to prove his true worth had he gotten some help from the WRs last season. “If you want to evaluate Marcel Reed, you got to give him better weapons. And I think these three players have a really, really good chance to take their game to another level, which helps Marcel Reed’s development as well.”
Who is Kevin Concepcion, Mike Elko’s star WR recruit?
Kevin Concepcion is a 4-star transfer prospect, according to 247Sports. He also enjoys a No. 5 ranking as a WR and an overall rank of 17. He already has the title of ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year from 2023. That season, he made 71 catches, hauled in 839 receiving yards, and scored 10 touchdowns. CBS Sports labels him as an “all-purpose offensive star” of the Wolfpack. He hit a snag in 2024 due to some injuries, but that did not falter his potential at the transfer portal in the offseason.
With a total of 1,499 receiving yards, Concepcion is a player who will bring in great results if used in the right way. Texas A&M made an average of just 210.3 passing yards per game this season. Elko has to look at Reed to lead the offensive line this season, and he will need strong WRs to help execute plays. With Mario Craver, the offensive line looks like something Elko will be happy with.
Kevin Concepcion had some big programs in his interests, like Alabama, Colorado, South California, and Miami. Elko not only had to fight off these biggies but also Bill Belichick’s UNC. Now that he has Concepcion on board, and the perfect opportunity has presented itself. Elko must make use of this star talent to give the offense the boost it desperately needs this season.
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