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FinishAccording to Mike Elko, that's Aggie football's mantra for this year. Speaking at the Brazos Valley Coach's Night last night, Elko said last season's November collapse has stuck with the players and coaching staff.
"We obviously did not finish November the way we wanted to or the way we needed to," Elko said. "The kids are getting up every single day thinking about what they need to do to finish this thing the right way. Finish the games the right way. Finish the season the right way."
The buy-in appears to be good, because I haven't heard anything about locker room or off the field issues beyond Mario Craver's arrest during spring ball, which turned out to be pretty minor.
Becoming "Elko's team"
We all know about the mess that Jimbo created (or at least didn't clean up) by bringing in players who might be talented, but were also bad eggs on a personal level (the "Loose in the head" gang). Elko said from day one he wanted to clean that up, and he seems to be making progress. Even with the sizable number of transfers out the last two offseasons, barely any of them have been from players Elko recruited and signed. Of the 42 players signed in the classes of 2024 and 2025, only two -- Eric Karner and Ernest Campbell -- have transferred. That is a retention rate of 95% over those two classes (of course, it's still early for the '25s), and a 94% retention rate for the class of 2024 (16/17).
What have the '24s done so far?
Not many have developed into impact players yet, but they're working their way up the depth chart the way steady programs do things. Here's a look.
WR Ashton Bethel-Roman: Potential starter, very likely in the rotation at least
WR Terry Bussey: He should start. If not, it'll be Bethel-Roman. But expectations are extremely high.
OL Robert Bourdon: Backup left tackle, will get a shot at the starting job in 2026
OL Papa Ahfua: Backup left guard, will get a chance at the job in 2026 if Chase Bisontis leaves
OL Blake Ivy: Backup right guard, set to take over for Ar'maj Reed-Adams in 2026
WR Izaiah Williams: Likely in the receiver rotation
DE Solomon Williams: Backup defensive end
DE Kendall Jackson: Backup defensive end
WR Ernest Campbell: Transferring to Sacremento State
S Myles Davis: Key rotation piece, likely 2026 starter
LB Jordan Lockhart: Key backup at linebacker, possible 2026 starter
LB Tristan Jernigan: Key backup at linebacker, possible 2026 starter
TE Eric Karner: Transferred (Note: Karner did not arrive until this spring with the 2025 class)
QB Miles O'Neill: Possible No. 2 QB behind Marcel Reed
S Jordan Pride: Backup safety
OL Ashton Funk: Backup guard/center. Possible starter at center in 2026
DT Dealyn Evans: In the two-deep at defensive tackle.
Three big recruiting weekends set for A&M (* means committed)
Number one: Arriving June 5-6
4-star OL John Turntine III
4-star OL Zaden Krempin
4-star WR Aaron Gregory*
4-star LB Tai'Yion "Tank" King
4-star QB Helaman Casuga*
4-star CB Dorian Barney
5-star ATH Brandon Arrington
4-star OL Samuel Roseborough
4-star WR and LSU Commit Jabari Mack
4-star WR Kaydon Finley
4-star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr*
3-star TE Evan Jacobson
4-star LB Malik Morris
4-star S Bralan Womack
June 12- 13:
4-star S Tamarion Watkins
4-star ATH Ryan Mosley
4-star EDGE Jamarion Carlton
4-star OL and SMU commit Pupungatoa Katoa
4-star OL Avery Morcho
4-star WR Jase Mathews
4-star EDGE Jaquez Wilkes
5-star WR Ethan "Boobie" Feaster
4-star RB KJ Edwards
5-star S Jireh Edwards
4-star DT Lamar Brown
4-star LB DaQuives Beck
June 20:
3-star TE Isaac Jensen
4-star CB Camren Hamiel
4-star WR James Scott
4-star WR Jayden Warren
4-star TE Israel Briggs
4-star WR Michael Brown*
4-star OL Drew Evers
4-star DE Bryce Perry-Wright
4-star OL Aaron Thomas
4-star WR Madden Williams*
4-star ATH Legend Bey
4-star LB and Auburn commit Jamichael Garrett
4-star S Chance Collins
That's a very stout visitor's list.
O-Line can't use inexperience as an excuse
If the line shakes out the way I think it will as far as starters go, A&M will trot a five-player group out that has a combined 126 starts between them. The number of games played is significantly higher. This will be one of the most experienced groups in FBS, and with two years of work under Adam Cushing, they're running out of reasons not to be in the upper echelon of offensive lines.
10-12 players drafted next year?
During his comments at coach's night, Elko said he thinks between 10 and 12 players could be taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. A&M hasn't had that many players drafted in more than 30 years. Here's the list of players I can think of that would be on that list:
RB Le'Veon Moss and Amari Daniels
OL Trey Zuhn, Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Dametrious Crownover
DE Dayon Hayes, Cashius Howell
DT Albert Regis
LB Scooby Williams
S Bryce Anderson
CB Will Lee
That doesn't even include early entries.
Mgbako probably will get to Aggieland
Texas A&M transfer (in) forward Mackenzie Mgbako took part in the NBA Combine last week and had a pretty impressive performance. But, from what we've heard, scouts told him that while he played his best basketball to date during the combine, he should probably return to college for another season and continue to develop his game. If he were to remain in the draft, he would likely be a second round pick and that may even be a craps shoot. He has until May 28 to make his decision on whether to stay in the draft or return to school.
Projected basketball lineup:
F Federiko Federiko
F Mackenzie Mgbako
G Marcus Hill
G Ryan Griffen
G Jacari Lane
Backup PG: Josh Holloway
Backup PF: Rashaun Agee
Backup F: Zach Clemence
Backup F: Jamie Vinson
Backup PF: Chris McDermott
Backup G: Jeremiah Green
