COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Mel Kiper Jr. wrote Friday that Texas A&M receiver Mario Craver is a star in the making and could emerge as a first-round candidate in the 2027 NFL draft. The ninth of Kiper’s 10 predictions in an ESPN column published Sept. 4 was devoted to Craver, one day before the No. 8 Aggies opened the season.
Kiper wrote that people are not talking about Craver enough and that everyone needs to turn on the Texas A&M tape. He also wrote that Craver could see more work in the return game this fall.
Craver is listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. Texas A&M featured KC Concepcion last season, and Craver still finished with 917 receiving yards on 59 catches, 4 receiving touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown.
“I’m not saying he’s Zay Flowers, but Craver has similar explosiveness,” Kiper wrote. “He’s a dynamo with the ball in his hands, and despite being 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, he displays strength and toughness. Craver plays bigger than his measureables, breaking tackles for extra yards after the catch. Texas A&M featured KC Concepcion last season, but Craver still put up 917 yards (15.5 per reception) and scored five total touchdowns (one rushing). I think we’ll see him in the return game more this fall, too, which will only up his draft stock. I love his game, and come April, I will be joined by a lot of people around the league.”
Mario Craver’s Production At Texas A&M
Craver has 76 receptions for 1,285 yards and 7 touchdowns in 21 career games with 12 starts, according to Texas A&M. His career high of 207 receiving yards came at Notre Dame last season, a game that included an 86-yard touchdown catch. He also went over 100 yards against UTSA and Utah State in 2025 and had a career-best 8 catches against UTSA.
Texas A&M went 11-2 in 2025, reached the College Football Playoff for the first time, and lost to Miami in the first round. Kiper’s column also projected Texas, Miami, and Georgia as the three programs that will dominate the 2027 draft, with around 15 draft picks apiece.
Texas A&M’s 50-0 Opener And What Comes Next
On Saturday, Craver caught 5 passes for 41 yards and 1 touchdown as Texas A&M beat Missouri State 50-0 at Kyle Field in front of 107,782. His 12-yard touchdown from Marcel Reed late in the first half put the Aggies ahead 19-0. Reed went 21-of-30 for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns, and 10 Aggies caught a pass, according to Texas A&M.
Concepcion, who is now in the NFL, was honored on the field Saturday along with Jahdae Walker and Von Miller, according to KBTX.
Texas A&M hosts Arizona State next before opening SEC play the following week. Texas visits Kyle Field on Nov. 27 in the regular-season finale.
