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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is 'blessed' to have four talented running backs
Texas A&M's 2025 running back room will be headlined by the return of senior back Le'Veon Moss, who, outside of dealing with a minor legal brushup this summer, is reportedly "100%" healthy after sustaining his season-ending lower body injury halfway through the 2024 season. However, Moss will be aided by one of the deepest running back rotations in the country with the return of Reuben Owens, Amari Daniels, and EJ Smith. During Thursday's SEC media days appearance, head coach Mike Elko was asked about his 2025 running back room, first praising Le'Veon Moss's 2024 performance before his injury, where he led the SEC in rushing with 765 yards, ten touchdowns, and 6.3 yards per carry. Moss's injury significantly altered A&M's offense, placing additional pressure on starting quarterback Marcel Reed to produce through the air, which was challenging given the team's limited reliable receiving options. It's also important to note that sophomore RB Reuben Owens was also lost for the season, and despite his brief return against Texas and USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, the former five-star was not himself after tearing his ACL during fall practice. How OC Collin Klein will use Owens, who could become a hybrid receiver in certain packages, will determine just how successful the Aggie rushing attack will be. "There's a lot of quality in that group. It starts with Le'Veon Moss, who was on his way to being the leading rusher in the conference and was one of the leading rushers in the nation when he got injured." "We're blessed with four really talented backs, and you need them because, in this conference, they come and go really fast." If Moss can pick up where he left off, Texas A&M is in great shape, while Owens is determined to show the nation that he remains an elite back with first-round NFL draft potential. However, Elko also noted EJ Smith is healthy and back to form, which is good news for those who remember his elite play and versatility during the bulk of his career at Stanford. 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
HC Mike Elko understands the importance of 'finishing' during the 2025 season
Coaching in the college ranks is a constant challenge, no matter the level of experience, as good and bad years aren't simply based on play calling, as Auburn's 2010 season, led by star quarterback Cam Newton, was a team coached by Gene Chizik, who failed to produce a winning season after two years at Iowa State, but struck gold before being dismissed after a 3-9 finish in 2012. No one has matched Alabama's success under former head coach Nick Saban, while Georgia's Kirby Smart has brought home two titles and is now considered the best coach in the college ranks until further notice. For Elko, the 2024 campaign, his first as the Aggies' head coach, was just his third full season leading a program after two years with Duke, so it's fair to say he is still a small fish looking to make his way to the surface despite being one of sixteen SEC head coaches. On Thursday, Elko, alongside linebacker Taurean York, guard Ar'maj Reed-Adams, and cornerback Will Lee III, spoke to the media during SEC media days, and during Elko's time at the podium, one of the media members in attendance asked about Texas A&M's lack of late season momentum after an impressive 7-1 start resulted in an 8-5 finish, including consecutive losses to Texas at home and USC in the Las Vegas Bowl. "Finishing" is a term widely used at every level of the game, as the teams that win in October and November usually make it to the postseason, and in this case, the College Football Playoff. Texas A&M has yet to earn a CFP bid since its inception, and with the 12-team expansion implemented last year, the Aggies have a shot to earn a spot in the bracket with at least nine or ten wins. However, Texas A&M's track record after September and the first half of October has been average to poor over the past six years under Jimbo Fisher. Although much of the same occurred during Elko's first season, he deserves some grace. While praising his talented 2025 roster, Elko provided a reality-based answer for how the team will attack the tough challenges in SEC Play, especially on the road. "You have to go through some of that sometimes, and as painful as it is and as painful as it was for us, our fans and everybody involved, we had never been in that position before." "You learn how you have to elevate your game in those matchups when you become that team. … Our kids have a really strong chip on their shoulder to finish that thing the right way." Texas A&M's comeback 38-23 win over LSU in Kyle Field included an early 17-7 deficit that was quickly eliminated in the second half after the Aggies' defense stepped up to force multiple turnovers, while quarterback Marcel Reed's performance off the bench included three rushing touchdowns. This team has what it takes to weather any storm this season, but that starts up front with the offensive line and the run game, both expected to be two of the best units in the country. Meanwhile, Marcel Reed's two weapons at wide receiver and tight end should create a balanced offensive approach. With Mike Elko taking over the defensive play-calling duties, broken coverages should be a thing of the past, and the pass rush should be elevated with more depth. 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
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
College football cash kings: Texas A&M ranks among nation's top spenders this season
NEW: Top 10 Biggest Spenders in College Football this season💰(Survey via @PeteNakos_) In a recent survey compiled by On3 Sports, Texas A&M ranks as one of the top spenders in college football this season. Becoming financially sound is an integral part of garnering national attention from recruits and translating that to success on the gridiron in this era of collegiate athletics. According to Pete Nakos, second-year head coach Mike Elko and the Aggies are tied with Miami as the fifth-biggest spenders in the country this season. Texas is the only team in the Southeastern Conference ranked above Texas A&M, as the Longhorns rank at No. 1 on Nakos' survey. While the sport, and college athletics as a whole, have become more focused on a school's economic situation, the transfer portal has increased dramatically and recruits are hanging their hats on where they can benefit the most from NIL (Name, image and likeness) compensation. Here is the full list of the top-spending programs in college football, provided by Nakos and On3 Sports on Tuesday morning: After hiring head coach Mike Elko on Nov. 27, 2023, Texas A&M recorded its first eight-win season since 2021. The Aggies finished Elko's first campaign in Bryan-College Station, Texas, with an 8-5 overall record, which included a loss to USC in the Las Vegas Bowl to cap off the year. If the program wants to reach the next level, it will require a financial investment in prospects who will help mold the future of the program through their performances on the gridiron. The last time the Aggies achieved a 10-win season was in 2012, when quarterback Johnny Manziel was shredding defenses every Saturday. Can Texas A&M become one of the top programs in the country? The short answer is that they absolutely can. Athletic director Trev Alberts seems to be invested in adapting to the ever-changing landscape of college football, as he continues to praise the way that Elko and company handle the shift on the recruiting trail. "I've had a chance to listen to all of what they're selling. Again, it's genuine. It's real. It's not just football," Alberts said. "It's the total person development. That kind of stuff matters to moms and dads and grandparents and other people. So, again, I just think Mike (Elko) has worked really, really hard at it. I'm excited about the future of our football program." Following a full summer of recruiting that still has yet to officially end, the program has secured the No. 4 recruiting class for 2026. With one five-star and 18 four-star prospects already committed to gear up in the Maroon and White uniform next fall, the Aggies' class has received an impressive 92.377 score via On3 Sports. Bringing top-ranked talent to Aggieland can only increase Texas A&M's chances of setting the program up for success. With Elko continuing to help rebuild the infrastructure from the ground up, the next few years of wise NIL spending and recruiting in College Station could help boost the Aggies to new heights. 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 Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC redshirt freshman Elijah Newby discusses switching from linebacker to defensive end
As a true freshman last season, USC linebacker Elijah Newby redshirted. However, he still appeared in five games for the Trojans (four regular season games plus the Las Vegas Bowl), finishing the year with two tackles. In 2025, Newby will look to play a bigger role for USC. However, he will be doing so at a new position, having made the switch from linebacker to defensive line during the offseason. In a recent podcast interview with Ryan Abraham and Connor Morrissette of 247Sports, Newby discussed the decision to switch positions. "Nothing is really gonna be handed to you in life," Newby said. "Especially on this football level. So being able to be selfless and put something bigger than me out there, and help in a[n] aspect that I wouldn't even think I would be helping in, I'm always down for. "If that's changing positions, being that motivator on the sideline, it's whatever. I think that transition was a great transition." USC fans will certainly appreciate Newby's team-first mindset. It will be interesting to see what impact he can make at his new position this fall.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs summer scouting: USC Trojans star wide receiver duo
Summer Scouting flag plant: USC WR Makai Lemon5-11, 195 pounds... highly energized mover that catches fire during the 2H of his true sophomore season under Lincoln Riley. I'm expecting big things in 2025. The Kansas City Chiefs revitalized their wide receiver room over the past three years by drafting Rashee Rice, Jalen Royals and Xavier Worthy, but the team still lacks a premier top target. With Travis Kelce nearing the end of his career, the Chiefs should consider swinging for the fences at pass catcher in the 2026 NFL draft. The USC Trojans have a strong wide receiver pipeline that produced Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London and Michael Pittman Jr. over the past six years. Two new pass catchers will join that esteemed group next spring. True junior wide receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon could emerge as two of the five best receivers in the 2026 NFL draft. Unofficially listed at 6'4", 195 lbs., Lane looks like your classic high school forward on the basketball team. He dominates at the catch point with his massive catch radius, elite body control and impressive ball tracking. Lane's strong hands help him make acrobatic one-handed catches and draw extra defensive attention in the red zone. Lane finished his sophomore year on a high note, crushing the Texas A&M Aggies with seven receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns in the Las Vegas Bowl. Many analysts believe that breakout performance was just the start of Lane's ascension to earning a first round selection. While Lane is a surprisingly smooth route runner for his size and quickly covers ground with his long strides, he isn't a natural separator. Roughly 34.8% of his targets in 2024 were contested, meaning he relies on winning in crowded air spaces. Lane needs to improve his route running to provide his quarterback with more open windows. At 5'11", 195 lbs., Lemon is the opposite of Lane. He's an agile, explosive slot receiver with elite route running skills. Lemon showcases his quickness and long speed as a kick returner and vertical threat. He isn't an elite speedster but is fast enough to stack cornerbacks downfield. As a route runner, Lemon uses his sudden deceleration and elite change of direction to shake cornerbacks at the top of the route's stem. His sharp cuts and understanding of leverage and angles make him a natural separator. He also thrives against zone coverage, easily locating and sitting in open space. Lemon's size is his most significant limitation. It causes him issues against physical cornerbacks and shrinks his catch radius. Unlike Lane, Lemon lacks the play strength to break tackle attempts. Fortunately, his vision and speed make him a threat after the catch.
