It’s July, which means SEC Media Days is now just a few weeks away, and after the official schedule for the annual summer event was announced late April, it was confirmed that Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, entering his third season, will speak on Wednesday, July 22, as the final coach to take the podium that day.
It’s been a busy offseason for the New Jersey native, who, after leading the Aggies to their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, is now focused on getting back to the CFP and building off last season’s historic success. After adding 17 players from the transfer portal, combined with 65% of the 2025 roster returning, Elko saw a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Already proving his ability on the recruiting trail, which now includes the No. 1-ranked 2027 cycle, Elko’s development plan must continue to produce results on the field, especially after the Aggies’ back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami in the first round of the CFP, which included four turnovers committed by starting quarterback Marcel Reed.
While winning more than nine games used to be the target goal, the Aggies’ realistic expectations are now in the realm of competing for a national title year after year, especially after Elko signed his six-year extension during the latter half of the 2025 season.
Before Mike Elko takes the podium in two weeks, here are three questions the third-year coach must answer before the 2026 season kicks off.
Is Texas A&M’s run defense on track towards improvement?
Texas A&M’s 2025 rushing defense ended the season ranked 40th nationally, allowing an average of 130 yards per game, which, on paper, is above average and shouldn’t result in too many game-deciding issues. However, during the regular season finale loss to Texas, the Aggies’ defensive line failed to plug the gaps, allowing running back Quintrevion Wisner’s career high 155 yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry.
This poor performance continued, as Miami back Mark Fletcher Jr. ran for 172 yards, averaged 10.1 yards per carry, and essentially ended the game after his 56-yard run in the fourth quarter led to the Hurricanes’ lone touchdown that cemented the program’s first CFP win.
After losing several defensive linemen to the NFL, including Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim, Elko is hoping that senior defensive tackle DJ Hicks, North Carolina transfer CJ Mims, and former Northwestern edge Anto Saka not only provide plus play as in the pass rush, but also focus on gap integrity and building a wall with little to no leakage. With DL coach Eljah Robinson back on staff, expect this area of the defense to improve.
Is Texas A&M’s starting O-line set in stone?
After losing four 2025 starting offensive linemen to the NFL, third-year O-line coach Adam Cushing has his work cut out for him, but thanks to immense depth after signing six offensive linemen in the 2025 signing class, combined with signing four SEC starters from the transfer portal, Texas A&M’s O-line should be in good shape.
Last season, Marcel Reed was sacked 17 times, which isn’t drastic, while starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III ended the year with the highest pass protection grade in Pro Football Focus history. LSU transfer Tyree Adams brings a ton of experience to the table; his injury history is problematic, while Alabama transfer tackle Wlikin Formby was inconsistent as a pass protector.
Veteran center Mark Nabou will serve as the lone returning starter, while LSU transfer guard Coen Echols and former South Carolina guard Trovon Baugh are predicted to start at left and right guard, but redshirt freshman Lamont Rogers is still in the running as the starting left tackle, which is a battle to watch during fall camp.
For Texas A&M to have any shot at making it back to the College Football Playoff, the offensive line must find consistency and be much better as a run-blocking unit.
Is Marcel Reed on track towards taking the “next step”?
This is a loaded question, and will only be answered this fall, as redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed enters his second full starting season after throwing for a career-high 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, his 12 interceptions tied for second most in the SEC, while four turnovers in losses to Texas and Miami in the CFP have resulted in plenty of doubt among some in the Aggie fan base.
This offseason, Reed has reportedly put in the work, gaining healthy weight to fill out his frame, while working hard with the D1 Training staff, and his personal QB coach, Jeff Christensen, who also works with future Hall of Fame QB Patrick Mahomes. Needing to fix his remaining mechanical issues, ranging from accuracy to release time, Reed stated during his interview with On3’s Pete Nakos that eliminating “mental mistakes” is the key to taking the proverbial “next step” this fall.
Mike Elko will more than likely be asked about Reed’s progress this summer, and while providing a clear answer to satisfy most of the media in attendance will be tough, the proof will be in the pudding.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 3 burning questions Mike Elko needs to answer during SEC Media Days
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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By Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire | USA TODAY Network
