Moss Makes Most of Opportunities in Texas A&M Backfield

© Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

The Texas A&M (1-1) offense has been hit-and-miss through two games, but one player has remained a consistently high performer.

Junior running back Le'Veon Moss has been the Aggies' leading rusher in each of their first two games—carrying the ball a career-high 20 times and scoring the team's only touchdown in a season-opening loss to No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1) on Aug. 31 and following it with his first multi-touchdown game against McNeese State the next week.

Moss was named Offensive Player of the Game by the A&M coaching staff for his performance against the Cowboys.

"I thought he ran the ball really well," head coach Mike Elko told the media during a press conference on Sept. 9. "I thought he made the strides that we had hoped to see him make from Week 1 to Week 2. I think he'll continue to improve as the year goes on."

Moss' Role at Texas A&M

After a season-ending injury to promising sophomore Rueben Owens, Moss and fellow junior Amari Daniels figure to carry much of the load for the Aggies in the backfield in 2024.

Despite Owens' absence, Texas A&M's rushing attack is averaging 239.5 yards per game, although that is definitely skewed after a 333-yard performance against a terrible McNeeese State run defense. Still, Moss has been the team's most consistent offensive weapon and has received the bulk of the carries at this point.

He should be seen as RB1 moving forward and will face many more challenges in Southeastern Conference play.

In His Best Shape

Moss has yet to make it through a season, playing seven games as a freshman and nine as a sophomore. However, he feels he is now in his best shape and credits his start to the season to his physical health and the addition of strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape I've ever been since I got to college, especially with coach Moffitt coming in," he told reporters after the win over McNeese State on Sept. 7. "I've had a lot of minor injuries the last two years—hamstring injuries—but when he got here, that problem went away."

Keeping the junior running back healthy enough to stay on the field all season could be a crucial component of the Aggies' success this season, especially with the current state of the running back room.

Learning to Run

Moss was a four-star high school recruit in the Class of 2022 and an Under Armour All-American who chose Texas A&M over Alabama. That kind of reputation can come with plenty of pressure to perform right away, but the junior has learned to embrace the process of his development.

© Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

The new offensive scheme involves much more communication with the offensive line, particularly when it comes to pulling linemen, and Moss has welcomed the adjustment.

"It causes me to be more patient," he explained. "Last year, I played in my head, and I would try to rush runs and stuff. [This year] The O-line's helping me and I'm helping them with the steps I need to do and what they need to do."

Moss was Texas A&M's second-leading rusher last season with 484 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also led the team in yards per game. Now, he is earning every rep and making the most of it.