Thursday will be Texas A&M's seventh fall practice as the Maroon & White continue to prepare for the 2025 season. On Wednesday, coordinators Jay Bateman and Collin Klein, as well as Bryce Anderson, addressed the media.
The following are live, paraphrased notes from the Wednesday afternoon media availability:
Jay Bateman
- Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart are great players. Look at what we did with Cashius Howell in the bowl game. He is a tick down size-wise from them. He has the ability to drop back in coverage. There is a commitment a little bit more of a true EDGE player.
- Everyone needed to be better. The linebackers were a part of that, too. When we got here, we were patching it together. We didn't have the depth we needed. We have more depth now. Myles Davis is coming along now. There are fewer moving parts, and I think that will help us tremendously.
- Lyle Hemphill is another respected voice in the room. He has been a big help.
- I think Dayon Hayes will be an important part of our defense. In the freshmen class, we feel tremendous about it. Marco Jones is unique. Noah Mikhail has been great.
- We made some serious schematic adjustments. I feel good about the answer we have in the passing game, and Mike Elko does, too. No one was immune to those discussions.
- We addressed fundamental areas, and I think there were changes in the schematics. Taurean York, Daymion Sanford and Scooby Williams know that. Another year in the system and playing college football will make that better.
- Jones is a talented kid, and he is really smart. We think the sky is the limit with that kid.
- Elko is one of the best defensive coaches there is. He is more involved. It's not a wholesale change. It's been really good. He is well aware of what we are doing.
- A strong percentage of our missed tackles were in space, and we gave too much space to a really good player. I think we have made improvements there.
- Chace Sims will be a dynamite player. DJ Sanders is really talented. Those were recruiting battles. Cobey Sellers, we knew he was talented, but his football knowledge is impressive. Jamar Beal-Goines has been out with a shoulder injury. Rashad Johnson, you see the physical talent there.
- The ability of our older kids to fix mistakes can help younger kids is way more advanced. The first year is always the hardest year.
- It is Autism Awareness Day. My son has autism. One out of 37 kids now has autism. The people in College Station, where he goes to school, have been great. Thank you to all the people in the area who have been great to my son.
Collin Klein
- Every year, it will adapt and take its own identity at quarterback. Across the board, we will have a better platform under him to do what we want to do.
- The biggest part of our mentality is truly getting better. I have been pleased with our practice mentality. We have been working on a lot of different combinations. We have guys coming back, but developing depth and creating competition, all of those things have been extremely positive.
- Marcel Reed has been pounding the calories. His body composition looks better. As long as all of that keeps moving forward, we will find out where that healthy line is.
- Mario Craver, from a speed component, has already visibly been different for us. Craver and Ashton Bethel-Roman bring the speed. KC Concepcion has been phenomenal. He is making plays and is one of the best competitors. At tight end, Theo Melin Öhrström is continuing to develop. Nate Boerkircher, as well. Amari Niblack has been outstanding. I have been proud of all of them.
- Every year is different. With staying healthy, fortunately, we haven't had anything that will affect us over the spring, but that did not happen last fall. The biggest thing I have seen as a jump is the overall team speed. Young guys like Deondrae “Tiger” Riden and Jamarion Morrow can go.
- We will be deeper and more established at the tight end position than we were a year ago. We are trying to build as broad a foundation as we can so the fundamentals are airtight.
- The speed and sequence of play directly affect the quarterback's ability to make decisions. The timing and sequencing, you are seeing that materializing through the course of the spring.
- From a messaging standpoint, we have to finish better, lock in and focus. Every inch freaking matters. That's on every snap. Thats’ a mentality starting with us as a staff.
- I am so proud of our quarterback room. Jacob Zeno has seen a lot of football and is already a great teammate. I have been really excited about Brady Hart. The moment hasn't been too big. He has studied his butt off. Miles O'Neill has made tremendous strides from last year.
- Rueben Owens is a lot closer. There are flashes of what he can be and what I know he can be. I am not worried about him at all. He will be a big-time difference-maker.
- There are a lot more knowns. As a staff, we have made a lot of strides, too. Being around our guys, all those inches matter. It's been a great journey. Excited about where things are going and heading in the right direction.
