Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko remains one of the most talked‑about figures in college football as the Aggies prepare for their season opener against the Missouri State Bears. With kickoff approaching, Elko joined the SEC teleconference and offered insight into several of the roster questions that continue to hover over the program.
Every level of the roster carries some degree of uncertainty, but the conversation always starts with Marcel Reed. Each season, Reed has shown steady development, and in his first full year as the starter he spent much of the back half of the season on the Heisman watch. His finish wasn’t his strongest, but it reflected more of a collective team stumble than an individual collapse. Still, Reed must prove he can take
the next step if the Aggies want a legitimate shot at returning to the College Football Playoff.
Where Elko and his staff have truly excelled is roster retention and recruiting. In an era where players transfer at the first sign of discomfort, Elko has managed to build a culture rooted in competition and accountability. It’s less about blind loyalty and more about creating a family‑driven environment where players understand the mission is bigger than any one individual.
Below are several key quotes from Coach Mike Elko during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference.
Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko communication with Marcel Reed:
A lot. If you do, you're doing it the right way. Communication with your QB is really important. You want him to feel confident in executing. We have a lot of conversations with him."
Mike Elko on new five-year, age-based eligibility rule:
"Obviously, now you don't have to have any conversations about who's playing."
Mike Elko on roster retention:
"It was really important that we have talented young players stay. We believe keeping them in-house is vital to our success."
Mike Elko on the wide receiver group:
"Terry (Bussey) has shown a lot in the return game since he's been here. Mario (Craver) has shown a lot in the screen game since he's been here. Isaiah (Horton) is a kid on film who shows that he has the ability. We are trying to replace a really good one."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Mike Elko highlights Texas A&M roster confidence in SEC teleconference
