The time for talking is almost over, as Texas A&M football will kick off the 2026 campaign against Missouri State on Saturday night at Kyle Field.
Head coach Mike Elko is entering his third season in College Station, just one year removed from leading the Maroon and White to their first 11-0 start since 1992, an appearance in the College Football Playoff and tying a program record with 10 NFL Draft selections.
To replace production lost, Elko went to the transfer portal and hauled in the No. 3 class in the nation, combined with the No. 7 recruiting class, which boasts a slew of talented freshmen. Aggie fans will get to witness what this talent brings to the table for the first time this weekend, as Texas A&M opens the year against the Missouri
State Bears.
Here are Elko's quotes from his interview on 105.3 The Fan on Wednesday previewing the upcoming season opener and addressing issues impacting college football:
Elko comments on the current status of the college football landscape
"You guys got a pretty good Aggie in Dallas that we were trying to see if we could get back before the Cowboys stole him from us," Elko said. "We have some rules and regulations in college football that we need to figure out. It's getting pretty crazy."
Elko is one of many head coaches against players returning to college from the pro level
"I don't think you should be able to go back once you declare for the draft. The way we've always done it has been really effective, and I think it would stay that way," Elko said.
Elko on retaining talent and the slew of newcomers on the roster this season
"We thought we did a really, really good job of retaining our young talent but also going out and finding guys we thought were NFL-caliber players that had started games at other programs," Elko said. "We feel really good about what we were able to do from a talent retention and acquisition standpoint this offseason."
Elko on the importance of having an experienced quarterback like Marcel Reed at the helm
"If your quarterback is talented enough and can be in your system, it helps from a leadership standpoint, a chemistry standpoint, a knowledge of the system standpoint," Elko said. "We're fortunate that we have Marcel (Reed) back and starting for us for another year."
Elko discusses replacing talent on the defensive line
"Last year in the offseason, nobody knew who Cashius Howell was, and every question I got was about replacing Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton, and about how our schedule was brutal," Elko said. "This offseason has been the same thing."
Elko and company are looking for more in 2026
"We understand in this building that we have an opportunity to go compete for this thing… Now you have to go do it. This season is a long journey," Elko said. "We're excited that we have a team that we feel like can go compete for an opportunity to win the whole thing."
Elko on winning the turnover battle and improving consistency
"We had about 12 dropped picks last year. If we catch those balls, that makes a big difference," Elko said. "We have to do a little bit better a job protecting the ball on offense, but flipping that (turnover margin) number is a big step."
Elko talks about playing in front of the 12th Man at Kyle Field
"There's nothing like it. … The first time you walk out in Kyle Field and see the towels waving and the music beating, it's just a different atmosphere," Elko said. "They stand. They're crazy. The energy is unbelievable. It's a bucket-list place to watch a game."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M HC says team can 'compete to win the whole thing' in 2026
