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COLLEGE STATION — Head coach Mike Elko made no bold proclamations about Texas A&M football after just three spring practices.
However, the Aggies leader was clear about the importance of these opportunities, stating how valuable the work and teaching were during this brief period.
"The spring is critical for us to get better at football. That's not just new guys or guys who haven't played a lot... you get so many more padded practices in the spring than you do in fall camp, which is crazy," Elko told reporters Wednesday. "So this is the time where really, fundamentally, physically, the mentality, the technique; all of that stuff gets developed now."
More: Which Texas A&M football transfer will have most impact in 2025? Ranking top 5 additions
As the Aggies look forward to the new season, they do so with sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed as the unquestioned QB1.
Reed started eight games last season and appeared in 11. But he comes into the spring as the leader of the room for the first time, a position Elko said Reed is handling well.
"Marcel (Reed) has been good. Obviously, it's early. There is still a lot to do. He has embraced the challenge in taking the next step," Elko said. "He knows, and he wants to throw the ball better. He's meeting that challenge head-on."
Reed threw for 1,864 passing yards and 15 touchdowns and ranked first among SEC quarterbacks, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, while his 49.4 yards per game and seven rushing scores were fourth among SEC signal callers.
The quarterback position isn't the only one changing; the Aggies have three defensive linemen who are expected to be selected early in next month's NFL draft, creating a void in the middle of A&M's defense. Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner combined for 8.5 sacks, 104 tackles and 26 tackles for loss in 2024.
With A&M's pro day scheduled for Thursday, Elko points to some old faces and some new names who could make an impact on the Aggies' defense this season.
"That's college football. If you're running a program right in the SEC, you're going to have NFL talent walk out the door at the end of the season," Elko said of the departures. "There is a lot of kids in that locker room that want to step into that spotlight. Cashius Howell. Rylan Kennedy. Some of the transfers we brought in … Those kids want to become household names to Aggie fans."
The Aggies resume spring practice Thursday morning, with media allowed to view the first 30 minutes of practice, followed by A&M's annual pro day later in the evening.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com.Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M football: Mike Elko gives fans 2 names to know this spring
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However, the Aggies leader was clear about the importance of these opportunities, stating how valuable the work and teaching were during this brief period.
"The spring is critical for us to get better at football. That's not just new guys or guys who haven't played a lot... you get so many more padded practices in the spring than you do in fall camp, which is crazy," Elko told reporters Wednesday. "So this is the time where really, fundamentally, physically, the mentality, the technique; all of that stuff gets developed now."
More: Which Texas A&M football transfer will have most impact in 2025? Ranking top 5 additions
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As the Aggies look forward to the new season, they do so with sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed as the unquestioned QB1.
Reed started eight games last season and appeared in 11. But he comes into the spring as the leader of the room for the first time, a position Elko said Reed is handling well.
"Marcel (Reed) has been good. Obviously, it's early. There is still a lot to do. He has embraced the challenge in taking the next step," Elko said. "He knows, and he wants to throw the ball better. He's meeting that challenge head-on."
Reed threw for 1,864 passing yards and 15 touchdowns and ranked first among SEC quarterbacks, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, while his 49.4 yards per game and seven rushing scores were fourth among SEC signal callers.
The quarterback position isn't the only one changing; the Aggies have three defensive linemen who are expected to be selected early in next month's NFL draft, creating a void in the middle of A&M's defense. Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner combined for 8.5 sacks, 104 tackles and 26 tackles for loss in 2024.
With A&M's pro day scheduled for Thursday, Elko points to some old faces and some new names who could make an impact on the Aggies' defense this season.
"That's college football. If you're running a program right in the SEC, you're going to have NFL talent walk out the door at the end of the season," Elko said of the departures. "There is a lot of kids in that locker room that want to step into that spotlight. Cashius Howell. Rylan Kennedy. Some of the transfers we brought in … Those kids want to become household names to Aggie fans."
The Aggies resume spring practice Thursday morning, with media allowed to view the first 30 minutes of practice, followed by A&M's annual pro day later in the evening.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com.Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M football: Mike Elko gives fans 2 names to know this spring
Continue reading...
