Latest news with #BrazosCountryCoach'sNight
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko believes he'll produce double-digit 2026 NFL draft picks
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko believes he'll produce double-digit 2026 NFL draft picks When examining how succesful a college football program has been under any head coach, the amount of NFL draft picks the following season is a solid indicator, noting development of talent at every position. During the 2025 NFL draft, Ohio State (14), Georgia (13), Texas (12) and Oregon (10) all produced double-digit draft selections, while Texas A&M's three picks were all in the first two rounds. However, this was only due to the youth of the 2024 Texas A&M roster, while left tackle Trey Zuhn, right guard Ar'Maj Reed-Adams, and cornerback Will Lee III all opted to return for the 2025 season. Also, if senior running back Le'Veon Moss had not been injured against South Carolina, missing the rest of the year, he likely would have declared this offseason. During Wednesday's Brazos Country Coach's Night, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko discussed a variety of topics, included his expectations regarding the amount of players on the 2025 roster who he believes will be selected in the 2026 NFL draft. "When you look at the current roster, we project to have more NFL Draft picks on this 2025 roster than we've had in a long time. We project anywhere from 10 to 12 players to hear their name called in the 2026 draft." Including all the names I mentioned above, former NC State wide receiver KC Concepcion is another name that could hear his name called, while several new edge rushers, led by Cashius Howell, could end up being first, second, or third round selections. If this is the case, that means Texas A&M would be coming off its best finish during the Mike Elko era, marking the start of what is hopefully a very successful tenure. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'They believe in what we're building here' Mike Elko is bullish on Texas A&M's 2025 season
'They believe in what we're building here' Mike Elko is bullish on Texas A&M's 2025 season Wednesday night's Brazos Country Coach's Night saw Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, ahead his second season at the helm, preview what fans and media should expect from the Aggies after the small sample size presented during the Maroon & White spring game. Starting off the night with a bang, Elko revealed that star senior running back Le'Veon Moss, whose season ending knee injury led to the Aggies' poor play down the stretch last season, is 100% healthy after spending the latter half of the 2024 campaign recovering, while his rehab this spring was faster than expected. Overall, Elko is very bullish regarding the offense and defense improving next season, mainly due to roster retention and key leaders returning on both sides. "The core of our roster has battled through a lot of adversity here. They're here because they believe in Texas A&M. They believe in what we're building here. I believe we have kids who are truly committed to Texas A&M and what it stands for." On defense, Elko brought in James Madison defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill to help fix the technical issues in the secondary, which included three horrific performances against Auburn, Texas, and USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, all resulting in losses. "We all understand how we finished the year. We played three bad games of defense to finish the year. We're all aware of that. That's not how we play defense at Texas A&M. We have to have a better commitment for getting the job done at a higher level." Again, "show, don't tell" is the theme for most of the Aggie fan base, but trusting Elko's defensive mindset is key, knowing that he is taking a bigger hand in the playcalling and overall structure compared to Jay Bateman's full control last season. Texas A&M's defense is relatively deep at nearly every position, and trusting Elko and his staff fix the remaining issues is all anyone can do, knowing that they at least have film to go off of compared to entering the 2024 season without anything to go off of. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is 'excited' about his starting QB's development this offseason
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is 'excited' about his starting QB's development this offseason The 2025 college football offseason has entered it's "talk'n" phase when every Power 5 head coach begins to preview their rosters, including Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, who spoke to during Wednesday's Brazos Country Coach's Night. Ranging from senior running back Le'Veon Moss's health, improvement on defense, and starting quarterback Marcel Reed's progress this spring. While Elko's confirmation that Moss is set to be 100% healthy during fall camp after fully recovering from his season-ending knee injury was the breaking news on the night, the second-year head coach was more than positve while discussing Marcel Reed's progression as a pocket passer, fully expecting the redshirt sophomore to take the next step in his development during his first full season as the starting signal caller. "Marcel Reed's development is what I'm most excited about. His development as a leader and in the passing game is important. He was a great player last year, but you'll see a significantly better version of him this fall." A "better version" of Marcel Reed is a complete quarterback who can make the tough passes when needed, especially if the run game isn't working. Last season, after Le'Veon Moss went down, the offense relied on Reed's arm, and while he showed flashes in the 4 OT loss to Auburn, throwing for three touchdowns and nearly 300 yards, his poor performance against the Texas Longhorns resulted in lost confidence among the national media, and some of the Aggie fanbase. Still, while Reed's elite running skills will continue to be utilized in OC Collin Klein's scheme, the first two games of the season against UTSA and Utah State need to pose as tune-up games for Reed to gain comfortability in the pocket before the Aggies hit the road to face Notre Dame in Week 3. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
