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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
HC Mike Elko is highly confident in Texas A&M's veteran 2025 offensive line
HC Mike Elko is highly confident in Texas A&M's veteran 2025 offensive line During Mike Elko's assistant coaching career, which included his three year stint as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator (2018-2021), he experienced one of the Aggies' best seasons since the memorable 2012 campaign during the 9-1 2020 COVID-inflicted season, which included an elite performance from Texas A&M's offensive line. Throughout the offseason, included during Wednesday's Houston Coach's Night, Elko has continued to emphasize Texas A&M's veteran offensive line that includes every returning starter from the start of the 2024 season, including center Mark Nabou, who missed the season's entirety after an early lower body injury. Elko also mentioned Texas A&M's deep running back room, headlined by senior back Le'Veon Moss. "If you think back to the core of the 2020 football team, the offensive line is where it all started. We bring back all four tailbacks. That is not something you see all the time." This group's size, experience, and NFL potential, especially left tackle Trey Zuhn, left guard Chase Bisontis, and right guard Ar'maj Reed-Adams, are considered some of the best at their positions, and will provide a significant impact in both pass pro and run blocking. For starting quarterback Marcel Reed, his success starts in the trenches, as the redshirt sophomore looks to improve as a pocket passer, which is vital if the Aggies plan to make it through their tough schedule and earn the program's first College Football Playoff berth. The running game will be emphasized, which is a staple of OC Collin Klein's scheme, but know that when opposing defenses shut down the run game, Marcel Reed will be looked at to take full control from the pocket and deliver strikes down the field, and will solid pass protection, Elko is confident that his starting signal caller can get the job done if the line holds up. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X 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
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'This guy is violent' Dallas Cowboys star praises Cincinnati Bengals edge Shemar Stewart
'This guy is violent' Dallas Cowboys star praises Cincinnati Bengals edge Shemar Stewart Texas A&M's 2025 draft success wasn't about numbers per say, as one three players were selected, but coach Mike Elko and his staff should be proud that all three were picked in the first two rounds, led by Shemar Stewart, who is will join the Cincinnati Benals as the Franchise's 17th overall selection. Followed by fellow edge Nic Scourton, who was selected 51st overall by the Carolina Panthers, and defensive lineman Shemar Turner, selected 62nd overall by the Chicago Bears, it's safe to say that this is just the start of Texas A&M's draft success under Mike Elko and his talented coaching staff. Still, the verdict is still out on Shemar Stewart's future success despite his draft hype, as the former five-star prospect recorded just 4.5 sacks during his A&M career, but improved as a run defender, while his elite NFL Combine performance sealed the deal for the pass rusher after recording a 4.59-second 40-yard dash time, 40" vertical jump, and 10' 11" broad jump during the event. At 6'5" and 267 pounds, the comparisons to former Texas A&M defensive end and future Hall of Famer Myles Garrett were only based on measurements, but with the 17th overall selection, high expectations come with the territory. While the Dallas Cowboys had a chance to land Stewart, drafting standout Alabama OL Tyler Booker with the 12th selection instead, Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons praised Stewart's ability during his Bleacher Report show. 'One thing that pops to me is this guy is violent. I mean, you put on the tape, and he's violent," Parsons stated. "He may not finish, but I will say his get off, everything up to that point is 110 miles per hour. ... College stats really are deceiving. I mean, I never even had more than 5.5 sacks out of college.' During his Penn State career, Parsons recorded just 6.5 sacks, though did not play during the 2020 COVID-inflicted season. Sacks arent the most important stat when evaluating a pass rusher, and Stewart has a chance to prove that as soon as his rookie season with the Bengals begins. 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.
