IT IS DONE: Texas A&M football Running Back Le’Veon Moss is the odd man out for Texas A&M now with Oklahoma sooner also sent a message to Texas A&M football head coach Mike Elko concerning….see more

The landscape of college football continues to shift in the age of the transfer portal and NIL-driven roster moves, and today’s breaking development has sent shockwaves through the SEC and Big 12 alike.

Sources close to Texas A\&M have confirmed that junior running back **Le’Veon Moss** is now “the odd man out” in the Aggies’ backfield under new head coach **Mike Elko**. Once considered a key building block for the program’s offense, Moss has reportedly fallen down the depth chart amid a flurry of offseason changes, including the addition of two highly touted freshmen and the emergence of sophomore breakout star **Ruben Owens**.

But the story doesn’t end there.

In a move that’s turning heads across the nation, **Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables** and his staff have reportedly reached out to Texas A\&M leadership — including a message directed to Elko himself — signaling clear interest in acquiring Moss through the transfer portal.

The message, described by one source as “respectful but assertive,” is the latest sign of how aggressive programs have become in poaching top-tier talent who no longer fit into their current systems.

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Le’Veon Moss, a 6’0”, 205-pound bruising back from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a top-200 recruit in the class of 2022 and a key part of the Aggies’ future under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. While he flashed promise in his freshman and sophomore years — averaging 5.2 yards per carry and showing a strong downhill running style — the 2024 season saw a shift.

With Ruben Owens emerging as a more dynamic dual-threat back and Elko shifting toward a faster, more spread-based offense that emphasizes pass-catching backs and perimeter speed, Moss saw his role diminish. He recorded just 56 carries last season, many of them in short-yardage packages or during blowout wins.

Now, entering the 2025 preseason, he finds himself behind not only Owens but also highly touted 5-star recruit **Derrick “Jet” Faulkner**, whose spring game performance turned heads, and sophomore **Jaylen Smalls**, who has bulked up and is earning first-team reps in practice.

“It’s nothing personal,” said one anonymous staffer. “Moss is a great teammate, hard worker — but the offense is moving in a new direction, and you can’t have a high-caliber back sitting third or fourth on the depth chart.”

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### Oklahoma Sends the Message

Enter the Sooners.

Still adjusting to SEC play, Oklahoma has been quietly reloading behind the scenes. With starting running back **Jovantae Barnes** entering his final season and depth behind him shaky, the Sooners see Moss as an ideal fit for their power-run, zone-scheme offense.

According to multiple reports, Brent Venables and Oklahoma’s director of player personnel reached out to Mike Elko’s office with what’s been described as a “formal expression of interest” in Moss — a move that reflects the increasing transparency and aggressiveness of inter-program communication in the NIL and portal era.

One source with direct knowledge of the outreach said the message to Elko was simple:

> “If Le’Veon Moss is not part of your plans this season, we’d welcome the chance to discuss his future in Norman.”

It’s a bold — but not unprecedented — maneuver. With Moss still having two years of eligibility remaining and no formal commitment to the Aggies beyond this summer, Oklahoma is making its play early, hoping to lure the junior back into a more featured role.

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### Elko’s Response

Mike Elko, entering his second season in charge after taking over in the post-Fisher era, is known for his no-nonsense, player-first approach. While he has not publicly commented on Moss’s standing, multiple insiders say Elko has had “honest conversations” with the junior running back about his role — or lack thereof.

“Elko doesn’t play games,” said one SEC assistant coach familiar with the situation. “If you’re not in the top two or you don’t fit the scheme, he’ll tell you straight. And Moss, to his credit, has taken it like a pro.”

Whether Elko will grant Moss the green light to enter the transfer portal immediately — or try to keep him through training camp — remains to be seen. But with fall practice less than a month away and depth chart clarity becoming urgent, a decision could come soon.

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### The NIL Angle

Adding another layer to the situation is the always-present NIL component. Moss, who entered the program with modest NIL opportunities, has seen his marketability dip as his playing time declined. According to sources close to the player’s camp, Oklahoma boosters and NIL collectives are prepared to offer a “competitive and guaranteed” package should Moss choose to transfer.

“He’s not just a running back — he’s a brand,” said one NIL consultant. “At Oklahoma, with their fan base and media exposure, Moss could reset his trajectory, both athletically and financially.”

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### Locker Room Impact and Fan Reaction

Reaction from within the Texas A\&M locker room has been mixed. While players reportedly respect Moss’s work ethic and leadership, there’s an understanding that the team is moving forward with its younger, faster backs.

As for the fans? Social media was set ablaze Monday morning as the news spread.

One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter):

> “Can’t believe we’re letting Moss go to Oklahoma. That’s like handing your little brother the controller and watching him beat you with your own team.”

Others were more supportive of Elko’s strategy.

> “Love Moss, but this is Elko’s team now. If he’s not the right fit, let him shine somewhere else.”

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### What’s Next?

Moss is still officially on the Aggies’ roster, but insiders believe his camp is exploring options and weighing Oklahoma’s interest seriously. If he enters the transfer portal in the next 7–10 days, the Sooners are seen as the heavy favorite to land him.

“He wants to play,” said someone close to the situation. “He’s not looking for drama — he’s looking for touches.”

And in Oklahoma, touches may be exactly what he gets.

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### Final Thoughts

Le’Veon Moss came to Texas A\&M with dreams of stardom in the SEC. He showed flashes of brilliance, but in a rapidly changing college football landscape — with evolving schemes, NIL implications, and aggressive transfer tactics — even top-tier talent can find themselves on the outside looking in.

Now, the question becomes: will Moss seize the chance for a fresh start in Norman? And if so, will the Aggies live to regret letting him walk — especially to a future SEC rival?