In this series, we’re looking at 10 players who could have a major impact on the success or failure of the 2025 Texas A&M football team. Some are starters, some aren’t — but they’re certainly not getting the attention they deserve.
In this series, we’re looking at 10 players who could have a major impact on the success or failure of the 2025 Texas A&M football team. Some are starters, some aren’t — but they’re certainly not getting the attention they deserve.Next up is center Mark Nabou, who has retaken the starting job after missing nearly all last year with a knee injury.
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-4, 330 pounds
2024 stats: Started the season opener against Notre Dame, but suffered a torn MCL and missed the rest of the season; redshirted.
Why he’s so important: The Aggies took two hard gut punches in the early part of their 2024 schedule, losing Nabou in the second half against Notre Dame and losing nickel Tyreek Chappell against McNeese the next week. As it turned out, neither was truly replaceable. A&M tried both Koli Faaiu and the now-departed TJ Shanahan at center in Nabou’s absence, but neither possessed Nabou’s ability to control opposing linemen.
Nabou seized his starting job back quickly in the spring and, now that he’s 100%, he was easily able to fend off any challengers in training camp. The coaching staff believes Nabou can bring a something more to the center position as the Aggies return all five of their starters from the 2024 season opener.
“Mark’s done a great job. He’s had a great camp … I think you could definitely tell his strength levels and comfort levels on the injury are much better than recently,” offensive coordinator Collin Klein said. “I think having a good summer training, strength and conditioning, for him has done wonders to let him really show flashes of what he was last year before he got hurt.”
Category: General Sports
