Aggie AM: Wednesday, August 26

Greetings, 12th Man. The home slate is about to heat up, with four events in Aggieland this weekend headlined by the volleyball national-championship banner drop on Friday night.

It’s Wednesday, August 26 — here’s what you need to know to start your day.

The Big 3

1. Perez headlines a No. 1 ranking: Lucciana Perez, the reigning ITA National Player of the Year, tops the preseason 2026-27 singles rankings released Tuesday, headlining six ranked Aggies. She went a perfect 28-0 last season on the way to SEC Player of the Year. Link
2. SEC shuts the door on returning pros: The SEC joined the Big Ten on Tuesday in opposing athletes who leave for the pros and try to return to college, passing a new rule that gives commissioner Greg Sankey the authority to enforce it “with penalties.” The league went a step further than the Big Ten, also barring anyone who has declared for professional basketball from rejoining without appropriately withdrawing. Link
3. Win $50 in Concessions Cash: The 12 Days of Giveaways keeps rolling as the Aggies count down to kickoff, and today’s prize is a $50 concessions voucher good at any 2026-27 Aggie athletics event. Yesterday’s Standing For America tee went to Brayson B. Head down to the 12 Days of Giveaways board further down the email for instructions on how to win and more.

The Rundown

FOOTBALL: Hemphill Takes the Podium
Defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill met the media at Tuesday’s fall camp press conference, offering a look at how the Aggie defense is taking shape with the opener now 10 days out. Link

SOCCER: Homestand Rolls on vs. Air Force
The Aggies host a soaring Air Force side on Thursday at Ellis Field (7 p.m., SEC Network+). The Falcons come in unbeaten, but A&M has a scorer of its own in Trinity Buchanan, whose five goals in four games are the fastest an Aggie has reached that mark since Kelley Monogue in 2014. Fish Campers get in free in their camp shirts. Link

VOLLEYBALL: Humphrey Signs First Pro Deal Overseas
Taylor Humphrey signed her first professional contract with LP-Vampula of Finland’s Mestaruusliiga, becoming the fifth player off the 2025 national-title roster to go pro and the first to head overseas. The outside hitter piled up 192 kills, 96 digs and 32 blocks in Aggieland. The Finnish league opens in early October. Link

FOOTBALL: Three Aggies Land on Tyler Rose Watch List
Receiver and returner Terry Bussey, running back Rueben Owens II and quarterback Marcel Reed made the preseason watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, given to the nation’s top offensive player with Texas ties. Reed is one of just eight returning FBS quarterbacks with 5,000-plus career passing and 1,000-plus rushing yards. Link

MEN'S TENNIS: Seven Aggies Ranked in ITA Preseason
Texas A&M men’s tennis landed seven spots in the ITA preseason rankings released Tuesday, a strong marker of the program’s depth heading into 2026-27. Link