Texas A&M won seven of the first eight games in Year 1 under Mike Elko before regressing to the mean late in the year with four consecutive losses to Power Four opponents. The Aggies return a promising young quarterback in Marcel Reed along with a proven stable of running backs and their top seven offensive linemen on offense. Defensively, Elko believes the unit will improve despite the losses of Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton up front. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football makes stops at all 13 FBS programs in the spring as we build the summer magazine. Here are some news and notes from our talk with Elko in College Station in early April. 

Previous stops: Baylor | North Texas | SMU | TCU | Texas Tech | Houston | Texas State | UTEP 

OFFENSE 

• Elko mentioned the importance of improving the downfield passing game. Quarterback Marcel Reed is the QB1 this spring and is in Year 2 of the same offense and that’s put him far ahead of where he was at this time last year. Elko expects a big jump in the passing game because Reed has experience and knows what to expect from the SEC. 
• The competition for the backup spot at QB was described as “spirited.” Sounds like the staff really likes the big arm of redshirt freshman Miles O’Neil. “He can really throw the ball around the field and we’re excited about where he is going,” Elko said. The Aggies added Jacob Zeno to get a veteran in the room. Brady Hart is a true freshman with a bright future. 
• Texas A&M is comfortable with all four running backs and Elko says it is the coach’s job to keep those guys happy and engaged throughout the season. “Tread on the tires matters, right? Sometimes, it is better to have 15 great carries than 30 carries and not feeling 100 percent all year” Elko said. 
• The wide receiver room is the opposite of the running back group as it is a bunch of unknown commodities. The staff is already excited about transfers KC Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State). “Both of those guys are going to impact games for us,” Elko said. Terry Bussey, Ashton Behtel-Roman, and Izaiah Williams are three young guys expected to take large steps forward in 2025. 
•  Texas A&M added three portal tight ends who join returner Theo Melin Ohrstrom. Elko expects each to have a role because they’re all different players. Nate Boerkircher (Nebraska) is an excellent blocker. Texas transfer Amari Niblack is a potential weapon in the pass game. Elko said Auburn transfer Micah Riley has a lot of versatility. 
• The top seven offensive linemen are back so not much new at that position. Trey Zuhn is the starter at left tackle with Chase Bisontis back at left guard. Armaj Reed-Adams isn’t practicing in the spring but he’ll be ready to go by the start of the season at right guard. Dametrious Crownover is the expected right tackle ahead of Reuben Fatheree II. The battle might be at center as Mark Nabou returns from injury to compete with Kolinu’u Faaiu. 
• Blake Ivy, Papa Ahfua, and Lamont Rogers were three young offensive linemen mentioned in high regard. 

DEFENSE

• The first thing Elko mentioned for improvements was allowing fewer explosive plays. “Play in and play out, it was one of the most efficient defenses I’ve had at A&M,” Elko said. “But statistically, it was one of the worst. What we identified as the problem were the amount of explosive plays we gave up.” 
• Rylan Kennedy and Cashius Howell return at defensive end for Texas A&M and Elko thinks DJ Hicks is ready for a breakout season as a junior. Iowa State transfer Tyler Onyedim sounds like a hit in the transfer portal. He, Hicks and Albert Regis give the Aggies a solid trio to build around on the interior of the defensive line as guys around them develop. 
• Texas A&M attacked the portal for edge players and added T.J. Searcy (Florida), Dayon Hayes (Colorado), and Sam M’Pemba (Georgia) to the mix. Hayes was a big-time player at Pitt but was injured for most of his one-year stint at Colorado. 
• Elko wants more “explosive playmaking” from an otherwise consistent linebacker corps that returns the key components. “Linebacker and safety are probably the positions you see the biggest jump in Year 2 because they’re a lot more comfortable with what we do,” Elko said. 
• Taurean York and Scooby Williams return as starters. Daymion Sanford played a lot of snaps for the Aggies, especially on third downs. Sophomore Jordan Lockhart is a name to watch, as is true freshman Noah Mikhail. 
• Elko feels great about the top four deep safeties with Bryce Anderson, Dalton Brooks, Marcus Ratcliffe, and sophomore Myles Davis figuring to be the main names to know. Jarred Kerr was described as the utility man. Tom Tom Johnson Jr. is a true freshman who received high marks. 
• Tyreek Chappell’s return from injury bolsters the nickel position. Bravion Rogers improved a lot throughout the season and Washington transfer Jordan Shaw adds even more talent and competition to the mix. 
• Keeping Will Lee III out of the NFL Draft was a big win for the Aggies. The other cornerback spot figures to be a battle between Dezz Ricks and Georgia transfer Julian Humphrey.