Missouri State senior Skyler Locklear will start at quarterback in the season opener at Texas A&M, a decision that immediately reshapes what the Aggies must solve defensively in the first quarter. The matchup places Missouri State’s passing game against a Texas A&M defense that has been rebuilt in the offseason.
AOL.com reports Locklear passed for 1,418 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2025, and that this will be his first season with the program after transferring from UTEP.
Key Takeaways
- Skyler Locklear will start at quarterback for Missouri State in the Sept. 5 opener at Texas A&M.
- Texas A&M’s defense added Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka and features one of the deepest secondaries on paper.
- Marcel Reed enters his second full starting season after throwing for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025 and must cut down on interceptions.
- Texas A&M’s roster turnover — including 17 transfer additions and 15 outgoing starters — raises the stakes of an early-season statement win.
Skyler Locklear background and transfer path
Locklear arrives in a spotlighted role after posting 1,418 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2025 prior to joining Missouri State. The reporting notes this season will be his first with the program following a transfer from UTEP, a move that immediately thrusts him into a marquee road opener.
For Missouri State, naming a senior with recent FBS starting experience stabilizes the offense heading into a hostile environment in College Station. Locklear’s mix of production and turnover risk will force Missouri State’s staff to balance aggression with ball security against the Aggies’ pass rush and secondary.
How Texas A&M will try to limit Locklear
Texas A&M’s offseason additions include Northwestern transfer Anto Saka on the edge, a presence that alters how the Aggies will pressure opposing quarterbacks. Combined with what the report describes as one of the deepest secondaries in the country, the Aggies can attack throws over the middle and bring heat from the perimeter.
Game planning for Missouri State will prioritize scoring early to avoid needing to chase late; the staff believes an early offensive push gives A&M the best chance to control tempo and limit varied looks from Locklear and his receivers. That plan also factors into how the Aggies rotate younger secondary pieces and deploy their pass rush in short bursts.
Quarterback matchup and 2025 passing stats
| Player | 2025 Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyler Locklear | 1,418 | 13 | 11 | Transfer from UTEP; slated to start vs Texas A&M |
| Marcel Reed | 3,169 | 25 | 12 | Entering second full starting season for Texas A&M |
The table highlights a contrast between Reed’s higher-volume production and Locklear’s more limited 2025 totals. Reed’s yardage and touchdown totals came with a career-high interception mark that Texas A&M will be working to reduce this season.
Locklear’s statistics reflect a quarterback who produced scoring output but carried turnover concerns, a profile that places premium value on A&M’s ability to generate early stops and force short fields.
Aggies roster turnover and CFP implications
Texas A&M begins the season with heavy roster churn: 17 transfer portal additions and the need to replace 15 outgoing starters and more than 20 offseason departures on paper. That level of turnover makes early non-conference tests more consequential for the Aggies’ depth chart and chemistry.
How Texas A&M performs against Missouri State will influence early CFP perception and the team’s margin for error in conference play. A clean win that limits Locklear’s explosiveness would validate offseason defensive additions and reduce pressure on the retooled offense to replicate last year’s production.
For Missouri State, a strong showing from Locklear on the road could raise the program’s profile and be a recruiting asset for staff pitching immediate playing opportunities to portal arrivals and high school recruits. Conversely, Texas A&M needs to demonstrate it can protect leads and limit turnovers if it wants to preserve a full-season CFP trajectory.
Full reporting on the starting QB announcement and the 2025 numbers is available from the linked source above.
