Concepcion's addi-cion could take A&M's offense to a new dimen-cion

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Let’s be honest here. Most of the college football world perceives Texas A&M’s offense as run-oriented and old-fashioned.

The Aggies are thought to rely more on long, methodical drives than electrifying big plays.

Last season, 18 of A&M’s 31 touchdowns in regulation against Power 4 opponents came on drives of at least 60 yards in at least seven plays. In those games, the Aggies managed just four offensive touchdowns on plays of 30 yards or more.

But new receiver KC Concepcion could change the percep-cion with recep-cions, injec-cions and even decep-cion.

Concepcion, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior transfer, had added an injection of speed and explosiveness to A&M’s offense. And he can do it in multiple ways. He appears to be a faster version of former A&M star Ainias Smith.

“I feel like my versatility is one of my best traits,” Concepcion said after a Wednesday night practice session. “I can play outside. I can play inside. You can line me up at running back. You can line me up at ‘wildcat’ quarterback.

“It doesn’t matter where you want to put me on the field. Just whatever you want me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”

He has plenty of ability.

Two seasons ago, as a true freshman at North Carolina State, Concepcion caught 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Further, he rushed for 320 yards on 41 carries. He ran jet sweeps. He lined up at running back. He ran out of the wildcat formation.

He didn’t just victimize overmatched non-conference patsies, either. Concepcion had 51 rushing yards and 83 receiving yards in an upset victory over Clemson. That was one of eight games in which he accumulated more than 100 all-purpose yards.

He also rushed for 33 yards and had 63 receiving yards in a 24-3 loss to Duke, which, of course, was then led by A&M coach Mike Elko.

“What an unbelievable play-maker,” Elko said of Concepcion. "When we went up against him as a freshman, he was really doing it all. He was lining up as a slot. They were running a lot of vertical balls with him. He was having a lot of success doing that.

“Then they were bringing him into the backfield and handing him the ball as a running back. They were doing jet sweep stuff with him. He was really just a guy they were trying to put in position to impact the game as a true freshman.”

That year, Concepcion recorded 11 plays that covered 30 yards or more. Seven covered at least 40 yards.

In comparison, A&M hasn’t had a player post that many big plays since Josh Reynolds also had 11 of 30 yards and seven of 40 yards in 2016.

Concepcion’s stats decreased in 2024. That’s likely due to a change to a freshman quarterback. Imagine what the numbers he might post with A&M’s rising quarterback Marcel Reed.

Reed has imagined that ever since he saw Concepcion attend an A&M practice as a potential transfer.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

KC Concepcion had a team-high seven catches for 64 yards in the 2025 Maroon & White Game to conclude spring practice.

“I saw KC there and said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got to get this guy,’” Reed said. “I think there was one period where I threw probably about three or four balls that were at least 25, 30 yards down the field each that were back-to-back-to-back.

“So I was like, ‘I’ve got to my big ones for this guy at practice.’ It worked out pretty well. I went over there after that period and kind of sat and talked with him a little bit. He kind of gave me the nod at that point. I was excited that he was going to come.

“He has sure hands. He talks to me all the time and tells me, ‘Throw it anywhere, and I’ll catch it.’ He’s proven it. I’m really excited to have him out there this year. He’s going to be a really good weapon for us.”

A&M’s offense was solid last year. The Aggies were ranked 49th in the nation in scoring offense and total offense. Also, A&M was second in the SEC in rushing offense.

All-SEC running back Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens II are back from injury. The offensive line returns wholly intact. The Aggies’ running game again projects to be among the best in the SEC, if not the nation.

The Aggies' offense just needs a more explosive element in the passing game.

“I project for us to be the best offense in the SEC, honestly,” Concepcion said. “We’ve got everybody back. Of course, we went out and got a few receivers. We’ve got the offensive line coming back. We’ve got Marcel going in Year 2. We’ve got all of the running backs coming back.

“And then we brought in a whole bunch of explosive receivers. All of us can do something with the ball in our hands.”

Indeed, with Concepcion, the A&M offense could add a new dimen-cion.