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USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
'Marcel (Reed) has been great' Texas A&M HC Mike Elko praises his QB's development
'Marcel (Reed) has been great' Texas A&M HC Mike Elko praises his QB's development Texas A&M's 2025 season will wholly depend on starting quarterback Marcel Reed taking the next step in his development, and while most of the national media are highly skeptical, coach Mike Elko has vocally backed the redshirt sophomore based on his offseason development, and continued to do so on Tuesday night during the Forth Worth Coach's Night. Reed is a dual-threat quarterback in every sense of the definition, flashing brilliance as a runner, while he has shown the arm strength and accuracy needed to thrive in the SEC. However, inconsistency in the pocket was a constant issue outside of a handful of games, while his poor performance in the season finale loss to Texas resulted in the national media losing confidence in the former four-star recruit. Still, thanks to his father, Rod Reed, we have been able to witness Marcel put the work in the offseason, working with various coaches to refine his technique as a passer, mainly working on his accuracy and quick release. In OC Collin Klein's balanced offense, Reed will need to make the tight window throws and complete enough deep passes to open up the running game, which shouldn't be an issue on paper given the influx of talent in the wide receiver room from the transfer portal. With KC Concepcion and Mario Craver joining Terry Bussey, Ashton Bethel-Roman, Izaiah Williams, and Jonah Wilson in the 2025 WR Corps, Reed can thrive in the short to intermediate passing game given every player's ability to gain yards after contact. On Tuesday night, Elko once again praised his QB based on the work he's put in, reminding the Aggies in the audience that during his first starting season as a redshirt freshman, mistakes are almost guaranteed, but he's on the right track regardless. "Marcel (Reed) has been great." "I don't think anybody really appreciates the development that Marcel made because a lot of his development happened at the end of the year when we didn't get the results that we wanted. … We have to finish those games and get the results, but if you're looking for signs of growth from the quarterback, those signs were there." "Growth" is everything when it comes to quarterback development, and while some will see this as coach-speak, Elko has kept it real when discussing player development, especially given the importance of the 2025 campaign. 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
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko provides more context on star running back's 2025 status
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko provides more context on star running back's 2025 status Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has continued to make the media rounds this summer, making a stop in the DFW area for Forth Worth Coach's Night to speak to Aggie alumni, donors, and media members about the upcoming 2025 season, and his belief that this will be Texas A&M's best season yet entering his second year at the helm. This offseason has been busy, especially on the recruiting trail after landing three more commitments in the 2026 class, including standout four-star running back KJ Edwards on Tuesday night. Elko and his staff, like former head coach Jimbo Fisher, greatly value recruiting as opposed to only relying on the transfer portal, knowing that gaining elite future NFL talent is the key to sustained success. The Aggies are poised to make a run to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history if the roster lives up to its potential, especially the talented and deep running back room led by senior back Le'Veon Moss, who missed the final five games of the 2024 regular season due to his season-ending leg injury. While his injury was serious, Moss has vocally expressed that be 100% ready for the 2025 season, and while he has also received the backing of his head coach, Elko stated on Tuesday night that his star back will not go through contact drills until midway through fall camp. "He will not be cleared for contact until midway through training camp." This is not surprising given the severity of Moss's injury, and while he has been moving well over the past three months, Elko and, RB coach Trooper Taylor, and OC Collin Klein will take every precaution necessary to prevent any further wear and tear before the real games begin. 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.
