Aggies' Texas Bowl Performance Proves Stars Still Exist On The Roster

The Aggies lost the Texas Bowl 31-23 to the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Wednesday, but we see a new crop of stars rising from the transfer portal dust.

The Texas A&M Aggies played on Wednesday night as a number of starters and contributors were out either as potential NFL Draft candidates or transfers. Then, after just one play from scrimmage, A&M was without its quarterback.

But against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the team rallied behind interim coach Elijah Robinson to make it a game late. After trailing 24-6 at the half, the Aggies put on a furious second-half performance to lose 31-23.

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs with the ball as Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Nickolas Martin (4) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Let's take a look at three things we saw from the Aggies against the Cowboys Wednesday night.

NO JAYLEN HENDERSON, NO PROBLEM

While starting quarterback Conner Weigman continues to heal after a season-ending foot injury suffered in September, Max Johnson transferred to North Carolina. That left Fresno State transfer Jaylen Henderson to start in the Texas Bowl. However, Henderson went down on the first play of the game for the Aggies with an apparent broken arm.

Henderson was replaced by freshman Marcel Reed - who had attempted just three passes all year long. Reed finished the night completing 20 of 33 passes for 361 yards and an interception. He added 29 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.

WHAT PASS DEFENSE?

With the vast majority of the defense missing either to the transfer portal or the impending NFL Draft, the Aggies were short-handed on that side of the ball. While A&M allowed 134 yards on the ground, including 118 to Ollie Gordon II - the nation's top rusher - the real damage was done through the air.

Texas A&M allowed 436 yards passing along with two touchdowns through the air. That includes 402 passing yards to Alan Bowman, who averaged 8.2 yards per completion. A&M was able to walk away with two interceptions of Bowman that kept the Aggies in the game late.

EVAN WHO?

A&M put up 372 yards through the air against the Cowboys defense. That includes two players who could very well be the future of the Aggies' passing attack in Jahdae Walker and Moose Muhammad III. 

Aggies LB Sam Mathews Steps Up In Loss To Oklahoma State

Walker and Muhammad combined for 11 catches for 205 yards from quarterback Marcel Reed. Tight end Max Wright - who became the primary tight end target after the departure of Jake Johnson to the transfer portal - added our catches for 62 yards.

The future of the Aggies passing game seems promising following former Aggies' wideout Evan Stewart leaving in the transfer portal after the firing of former coach Jimbo Fisher.