Klein will have a wide assortment of talent to attack defenses. With multiple backs, providing varied skills, and an offensive line that will be a top 10 unit in 2025, Klein will have all the tools needed to succeed in 2025. The entire offense is built around a dominant ground attack, and it will be key to sustaining drives and creating a balanced attack for Reed to operate.
Collin Klein's Rushing Scheme
Core Philosophy: Physicality, Misdirection, and Leverage
Collin Klein's rushing attack is built on three core principles:
Physical Dominance: The foundation is power football. The system is designed to leverage A&M's massive and experienced offensive line to create movement and impose its will on the defense.
Making 11-on-11 Football: The quarterback is always a threat. By making the quarterback a legitimate and intentional part of the run game, the offense forces the defense to account for all 11 players, preventing them from keying solely on the running back.
Creating Leverage and Mismatches: Klein uses a variety of formations, motions, and personnel groupings (often featuring multiple tight ends) to create favorable angles for his blockers and confuse the defense's run fits. It may look like a simple power run, but pre-snap movement has created a numbers advantage.
1. The Designed QB Run Game
QB Power/Counter: Klein loves to use gap-scheme runs where he pulls offensive linemen to create a running lane for the quarterback. A&M's massive and experienced offensive line is perfectly suited for this. Expect to see plays where a guard pulls to lead Reed through the hole, giving the Aggies a numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Zone Read/Option: This is the foundation. Reed's quick decision-making forces the defensive end to commit. If the end crashes down on the running back, Reed will pull the ball and attack the edge. This simple concept stresses the discipline of a defense on every single snap.
Red Zone Weapon: Inside the 20-yard line, where the field shrinks, Reed's legs become arguably the team's most potent weapon. His 7 rushing touchdowns in 2024 underscore his effectiveness near the goal line, where designed QB runs are difficult to stop.
Extending Plays: When pass protection breaks down, Reed's agility allows him to escape the pocket and turn a negative play into a positive one. His ability to evade the initial rusher and pick up 5-10 yards with his legs can demoralize a defense and keep drives alive.
2. Gap Schemes with Multiple Tight Ends/H-Backs
Setting the Edge on Outside Runs: On "pin and pull" schemes or outside zone plays, the TE’s primary job will be to use his size and length to "pin" the defensive end inside, creating a lane for the running back to get to the perimeter.
The "Split Zone" Blocker: You will often see a TE line up on one side of the formation and, at the snap, come across to block the unblocked defensive end on the backside of a zone run. This is a staple of Klein's offense and punishes defensive ends who are too aggressive in crashing down the line.
The Play-Action Decoy: Because A&M’s TEs are such a legitimate threat as a receiver, defenses must respect them. When TEs fake a block and release into a route on a play-action pass, it freezes linebackers and safeties for a critical second, which is often all the running back needs to find a crease.
12 Personnel Grouping: The Aggies will line up in heavy-looking formations with players like Theo Melin Ohrstrom and Amari Niblack on the field at the same time. These players will then be used as extra blockers in the run game, often on "counter" or "power" plays where they lead the running back to the hole. This forces the defense to commit to specific formations. Do they stay in their base defense with three linebackers to stop the run? Or do they substitute a linebacker for a smaller, faster nickel cornerback to cover the TE? If they stay in their base defense, Klein will exploit that by splitting a TE like Niblack out wide and creating a glaring mismatch against a linebacker in the passing game. If they substitute for a nickel corner, the defense becomes smaller and more vulnerable to the Aggies' power running game.
3. Jet Sweeps and Motion
How it Works: A fast wide receiver like Terry Bussey will go in motion across the formation before the snap. This can either be a "jet sweep" handoff, or simply "eye candy" to make the defense shift and adjust.
Why it's Effective: It forces the linebackers and safeties to adjust their alignment right before the snap, which can cause confusion and create gaps in the defense. It also forces the defense to defend the entire width of the field, opening up lanes for the power run game between the tackles.
Key Players:
Marcel Reed (QB, Sophomore): Reed was the team's third-leading rusher behind Le'Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, and he was second on the team in rushing touchdowns. His 116 carries were more than any A&M quarterback since Johnny Manziel. This wasn't accidental; it was by design. While not a physically imposing figure, Reed runs with surprising power and excellent contact balance. At 6'2" and around 185-190 lbs, he's lean, but he consistently breaks arm tackles and falls forward. He has a knack for absorbing a hit, staying on his feet, and gaining extra yardage. Reed’s elite agility is his defining trait. Reed possesses exceptional short-area quickness and the ability to change direction without losing speed. He is not a straight-line burner, but his "stop-and-start" quickness makes him incredibly difficult to corral in the open field. He excels at making the first defender miss, which turns a potential sack or tackle-for-loss into a positive gain. Reed has a natural feel for finding running lanes. On scrambles, he shows great vision to see where the defense is vacated. On designed runs, he follows his blocks well and has a good sense of when to cut back against the grain. This was evident in his multi-touchdown performance against LSU, where his instincts took over.
Le'Veon Moss (RB, Senior): Before his injury last season, Moss was on track to be one of the premier backs in the entire conference. He was explosive, powerful, and a touchdown machine. Now fully healthy, expect a hungry Moss to be the lead back, aiming for a 1,000-yard season and solidifying himself as an elite NFL prospect. Moss is a one-cut running back. He has excellent vision to identify the hole and the explosive burst to hit it without hesitation. There is no wasted movement in his running style; he gets north-and-south in a hurry. At 215 pounds, Moss runs with a violent, punishing style. He consistently breaks through arm tackles and has a fantastic ability to maintain his balance after initial contact, often dragging defenders for extra yardage. He is built to handle the physical demands of being a lead back in the SEC. While not quite the top-end burner that Reuben Owens is, Moss has more than enough speed to turn a solid gain into a long touchdown. His 75-yard touchdown run against a top-10 Missouri team in 2024 showcased his ability to erase angles and pull away from defenders once he gets into the open field. His 2024 season proved he can be the lead back and handle a significant volume of carries against elite competition. The offense was at its best when it ran through him.
Rueben Owens (RB, Junior): Owen’s elite speed and explosiveness is what separates Owens from nearly every other back. His track speed is legitimate, and he has the ability to score from anywhere on the field. He is a true home-run threat who can turn a simple handoff into a 70-yard touchdown. Owens is a natural pass-catcher with soft hands. He is not just a running back who can catch; he is a legitimate weapon in the passing game. He can line up in the slot, run wheel routes, and is incredibly dangerous in the screen game where he can use his elusiveness in open space. He possesses lightning-fast feet and can change direction on a dime without losing speed. This allows him to make defenders miss in one-on-one situations and find cutback lanes that other backs can't see. That being said, at times in his young career, his desire to hit the home run has led him to bounce runs outside prematurely instead of taking the tough yards between the tackles. The biggest key for Owens is simply staying on the field. After two years impacted by injuries, proving he can handle the physical toll of an SEC season is his primary hurdle.
Amari Daniels (RB, Senior): Daniels' greatest asset is his exceptional vision. He is adept at finding small creases at the line of scrimmage and has the quick-cutting ability to get through them. He isn't a straight-line burner, but his short-area burst allows him to accelerate to the second level quickly.
Trey Zuhn III (Left Tackle, Senior): A cornerstone of the line, Zuhn has been a fixture at left tackle since he stepped on campus. He was an early commit in the 2021 class and has lived up to his billing. Zuhn is the prototypical blind-side protector. He possesses excellent size (6'7", 315 lbs) and the footwork necessary to mirror elite SEC edge rushers. He is technically sound, rarely gets penalized, and is a quiet leader of the group. His consistency and reliability are his greatest assets, providing a sense of calm on the most critical spot of the line.
Chase Bisontis (Left Guard, Junior): A former 5-star recruit from New Jersey who earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023. He briefly entered the transfer portal but was a key player for Mike Elko to retain. Bisontis is a phenomenal athlete for his size (6'6", 320 lbs) and a true mauler in the run game. He has experience playing both tackle and guard, but has found a home on the interior where his aggressive blocking style can shine. He excels at pulling and getting to the second level to eliminate linebackers. As he continues to refine his pass protection technique, he has the potential to become one of the top interior linemen in the country and a high NFL Draft pick.
Kolinu'u Faaiu (Center, Senior): A crucial transfer addition from Utah prior to the 2024 season, Faaiu stepped in and immediately solidified the center position. Faaiu is the quarterback of the offensive line. He is responsible for making the line calls and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. He is a stout, powerful center who is difficult to move in the run game and provides a firm pocket for the quarterback in pass protection. His experience and intelligence are invaluable to the unit's cohesion.
Ar'maj Reed-Adams (Right Guard, Senior): Transferred from Kansas before the 2024 season and quickly became a fan favorite for his physical, punishing style of play. Reed-Adams brings a mean streak and a powerful punch to the right side of the line. At 6'5" and 330 lbs, he is a road-grader who loves to finish blocks and impose his will on defenders. He was exceptional in 2024, surrendering just one sack all season. He and Bisontis form arguably the best guard tandem in the SEC.
Dametrious Crownover (Right Tackle, Senior): A massive athlete who originally came to A&M as a tight end before finding a home at offensive tackle. Crownover is an imposing figure at 6'7" and 330 lbs. His long arms and natural athleticism make him very effective in pass protection, as he can keep defenders at a distance. He has steadily improved each year as a run blocker and now uses his size to seal the edge effectively. His continued development has been a huge success story for the program.
Reuben Fatheree II (Right Tackle, GR): Fatheree is the definition of a luxury "swing tackle." With Trey Zuhn III at left tackle and Dametrious Crownover at right tackle, Fatheree provides arguably the best and most experienced backup tackle in all of college football. His role is to be ready at a moment's notice to step in at either tackle position without the offense missing a beat. He will also be a key piece in "jumbo" or heavy offensive sets near the goal line, where his massive frame can be used to create running lanes as an extra tight end. His presence ensures that the Aggies are protected against injury at two of the most critical positions on the field.
Mark Nabou (Guard, RS JR): With Utah transfer Kolinu'u Faaiu solidifying the starting center role after his injury and the guard spots locked down by Chase Bisontis and Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Nabou's role is that of a premium, top-tier backup. He will be the primary interior swing lineman. If Faaiu, Bisontis, or Reed-Adams were to miss time, Nabou would be the first man in, and the coaching staff would have full confidence in him. He will likely see snaps in heavy packages and could rotate in to keep the starters fresh. His presence provides a layer of experienced insurance that most teams in the country do not have.
Theo Melin-Ohrstrom (TE, RS JR): At 6'6" and now up to 265 pounds, he has the sheer size to be a factor. He has spent three years in an SEC strength program transforming his body from a lanky receiver into a powerful athlete. He has the frame to wall off defensive ends and the length to get in the way of linebackers. Since arriving, the coaching staff has lauded his work ethic. When asked to pull or block on the move (like on screens or outside zone plays), his natural athleticism allows him to get to his spot and engage with defenders in space more effectively than a traditional, plodding tight end. Theo Melin-Ohrstrom is a "dual-threat" tight end. While his highlight reel will be filled with long catches, his value to Collin Klein's rushing attack is immense. His ability to effectively set the edge, execute key blocking assignments, and demand respect as a receiver makes him a critical chess piece in creating the physical, deceptive, and successful ground game that the Aggies aim to build their entire offensive identity around.
Amari Niblack (TE, SR): While he may not dominate defenders, his 6'4", 245-pound frame is more than capable of "sealing" an edge or getting in the way of a defender long enough for the runner to get by. On outside zone plays, his job is often to simply wall off a linebacker or safety at the second level, which his athleticism allows him to do effectively. Niblack is perfectly suited for the H-back position, where he can line up slightly off the line of scrimmage and act as a lead blocker on "wham" or "trap" plays. In this role, he uses his athleticism and momentum to block a defensive tackle or linebacker from an angle, a task that relies more on timing and positioning than sheer power. His greatest contribution to the Texas A&M rushing attack is the threat of what he can do as a receiver. He creates strategic advantages before the snap, forces defenses into unfavorable personnel groupings, and holds defenders accountable with the threat of the play-action pass.
Klein has built the type of personnel that will allow him to exploit defenses in multiple sets and create significant advantages in matchups to yield big gains. A&M’s rushing attack will have multiple avenues for success which greatly increases their chances for long drives and continued scoring opportunities. Look for this rushing attack to finish in the top ten of the country by year’s end.