Latest news with #MikeElko
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas A&M football is 'elevating' to championship culture says coach Mike Elko
Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko talks about elevating his team's culture to a championship level during SEC media days on July 17, 2025 in Atlanta.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M's 'old' offensive line should be the Aggies' offensive catalyst in 2025
Texas A&M's 2025 offensive line is poised to be one of the best units in the country, thanks to its experience and NFL-level talent, which will provide starting quarterback Marcel Reed and the Aggie running game a significant boost compared to last season's inconsistent performance. Throughout the offseason, head coach Mike Elko continued to praise his top seven returning offensive linemen, believing that winning in the trenches is the key to unlocking Texas A&M's offense. On Monday, during his sixth Coach's Night of the summer in San Antonio, Elko continued to praise the group, noting that, during his second-to-last season as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator before becoming Duke's head coach, the Aggies' 2025 O-line is the most experienced unit since A&M's memorable 2020 season, which included an Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina. "It's great to bring back all seven of our top offensive lineman. The last time we were this old at that position, we ended our season playing in the Orange Bowl. It's a really strong starting point to have a group like that." On paper, this is how the starting five offensive line could look when the Aggies open the 2025 season vs. UTSA: At center, Nabou is coming off another injury-riddled season and will contend with veteran Koli Faaiu for the starting job. Notable guard depth includes redshirt freshmen Ashton Funk and Blake Ivy, while five-star freshman tackle Lamont Rogers might be too talented to keep off the field. Another battle is at right tackle, as senior Reuben Fatheree is back for a final season, but will likely play behind Dametrious Crownover. Both are excellent pass protectors, so it will be tough to deny a close to equal snap count. 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals/On3 Insider provides two key updates on Texas A&M's priority 5-star prospects
Texas A&M's recruiting success last month was borderline historic, as the school landed three five-star prospects in the 2026 cycle, culminating in Saturday's critical commitment from five-star edge rusher Bryce Perry-Wright, out of Buford, Georgia. Coach Elko and his staff have developed strong relationships with all 24 commits, and momentum could continue this week with the top-ranked defensive lineman in the class set to make his announcement. On Thursday, 2026 five-star DL Lamar Brown, the crown jewel of the 2026 cycle in the trenches, is expected to choose between the LSU Tigers or Texas A&M on Thursday, July 10. Right now, the Louisiana native, who has spent his entire football career in the backyard of Death Valley up to this point, is slightly leaning towards staying home. On Monday, Rivals recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong provided an update regarding where the Aggies stand with Brown during his appearance on Josh Newberg's Rivals show, stating that while he still believes LSU has the edge, Brown's nearly double-digit visits to College Station, combined with his belief in the program, still stand out. "They might be the program in on the move five-stars down the stretch" Wiltfong stated. "They have as good a chance as anyone to finish No. 1, and that starts with Lamar Brown. Maybe LSU has the edge, but there's been times where A&M has been the favorite. He's visited there seven times. Coach (Tony) Jerod-Eddie, Coach (Sean) Spencer, again, Coach (Mike) Elko, the scheme, how comfortable he is around the program, NIL opportunities; don't sleep on Texas A&M for Lamar Brown." While this take on Brown is similar to AggieYell insider Landyn Rosow's recent update that LSU and Texas A&M are "50-50" leading up to his announcement, Wiltfong also included a key update on the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the 2026 class, five-star LSU commit Tristan Keys regarding Tennessee and Texas A&M's potential to flip the elite route runner. "There's buzz that's starting to rise where Texas A&M and Tennessee may be better positioned long-term. Now Miami is going to be swinging Tristen Keys as well, and LSU is doing everything they can to keep him in the fold. But the Aggies and the Vols are certainly doing a good job." For the Aggies to land both elite prospects ahead of Early Signing Day on December 4, it will take a strong effort from the coaching staff, and likely an in-season visit even if Lamar Brown commits to Texas A&M on Thursday. 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. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Rivals/On3' Steve Wiltfong provides update on two 2026 5-star recruits
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said during Coach's Night in San Antonio
For his sixth stop on the Coach's Night tour, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko previewed the upcoming season for the Aggies at the San Antonio A&M Club on Monday night. Elko's appearance at Coach's Night marked the first time behind the podium for the second-year head coach since the Southeastern Conference's media days last week. The Aggies are set to kick off the 2025 campaign against UTSA on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Kyle Field. With a new season of college football in Bryan-College Station, Texas, set to begin in just 39 days, "talking season" is nearing the end. When it comes to football in the SEC, the talking never stops, however. Heading into his second season leading the Aggies, that testament is something Elko has come to learn. As he continues to travel around the state to speak in front of Texas A&M alumni, the spirit and passion from the Aggie faithful are unlike anything Elko has ever seen. Here is everything Elko had to say at Coach's Night in front of the San Antonio A&M Club on Monday, according to TexAgs: Elko credits passionate display from A&M alumni "I want to say thank you to you all. Every time I go to these Coach's Nights, I'm blown away by the Aggie Spirit. I've been at a lot of universities, and there is nothing like this." Elko praises support from fans at Kyle Field "Last year we averaged over 102,000 people at our home games. We were 101% filled in Kyle Field. That number is larger than any other SEC stadium. We have support at an unbelivable level, and now we'll build the program to match it." Elko talks team's willingness to serve community "We've become extremely active in the Bryan-College Station area to give back with the Big Event and with schools. That's really important for young people to give back to keep them grounded, humble and away from entitlement." Elko expresses excitement about Aggie retention "Look at who goes in and who goes out of a program. We've been able to keep so many key players. We were able to retain about 99% of the players we wanted to return to our program, so we're really excited about that." Elko speaks on Marcel Reed's freshman season "Now he understands what it's like to be QB1 in the SEC. What he had to go through last year is not how you'd write the script for a first-time starter bring in and out. What gets lost is the growth he had last year." Elko on Aggie RB room "We returned all of our ball-carriers. Le'Veon Moss will be ready to go. We're excited to have Rueben Owens back. We're glad we got Amari Daniels back. E.J. Smith dealt with a lot of injuries last year, but he's healthy now." Elko excited about offensive line return "It's great to bring back all seven of our top offensive linemen. The last time we were this old at this position, we ended our season playing in the Orange Bowl. It's a really strong starting point to have a group like that." Elko talks WR reform "We had to reform the wide receiver position. Kevin Concepcion has been everything we hoped he could be. He's elevated the level of the entire wide receiver room. Mario Craver continues to develop. We're excited about the development of Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey." Elko's defensive standard at A&M "It is not lost on me the standard we have for defense at Texas A&M. Getting Will Lee III back to anchor the corner position was huge. We believe we've elevated the safety position. Taurean York is the rock of that defense." Elko on filling gaps from departing players "We have had more NFL Draft picks on the defensive line since I got here in 2018 than any other team in the SEC. We're comfortable replacing great players. DJ Hicks, Albert Regis, Rylan Kennedy and Cashius Howell will step up." Elko talks program's future "We have 15 starters back. We have all of our specialists back. We're excited about where this program is going. We have to build a program you are all proud of. Let's be proud of who we are and where we're going." Elko dismisses Bussey playing both ways "He will not. His story has to start at wide receiver. That's not to take away of what he can do or that he won't ever be a two-way player, but we need him to impact the game on offense." Elko says Shemar Stewart will not return "Absolutely not. Some people live in this fairytale land of social media where you can create false narratives. I see him every day in our weight room, but he's a Cincinnati Bengal." Elko describes the most difficult challenge in football "The biggest puzzle of modern college football is maintaining chemistry and culture in an era where money has become involved in it. Who you bring into your program is crticial. We have to be intentional about how we bring this team together." Elko praises Regis "It's really exciting to have a player as talented as Albert Regis. He's a grown man. He's a great leader and a phenomenal player. Anchors like that matter." Elko on putting more players in the NFL "We have to have more NFL players across the board. If you look at teams that win the SEC, they're getting 20 players drafted over a two-year period. We will comfortably have 10 kids get their name called at the end of this season." Elko stresses importance of protecting Reed "I'm going to knock on wood one more time. Obviously that's something that has to change. It's not lost on us that keeping our quarterback protected and healthy is a critical piece of our success." 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.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Here's what Bengals DE Shemar Stewart's college coach said about possible Texas A&M return
Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, defensive end Shemar Stewart, is getting ready for the NFL season, and his college coach confirmed he's not seeking a return to the Texas A&M Aggies despite a contract dispute with the Bengals. "There's no intentions of Shemar to play for the Aggies this year," Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko told ESPN. "But Shemar has been around. He's very comfortable in our program. Really likes what we do training-wise. He's been training, getting ready for his season this year with the Bengals. We wish him the best." The Enquirer's Kelsey Conway confirmed through a source close to Stewart that while the 17th overall pick is in fact working out at Texas A&M's facilities, he's not working out with the team. His workouts are individual and he's preparing for the upcoming NFL season. A report from 247Sports' Bud Elliott sparked debate over Stewart's contract situation with the Bengals. Elliott reported Stewart has been 'fully involved' in Texas A&M's workouts this summer and that he could return to the Aggies next season. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals Shemar Stewart: Texas A&M coach Mike Elko says DE won't return
