Finishing remains the emphasis in Aggieland as fall camp gets started

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August football camp is close to starting, but Texas A&M players on Tuesday talked about finishing.

Players officially reported to camp on Tuesday. Practices begin Wednesday at 6:50 p.m.

Last season, A&M went into November with a 7-1 record and unbeaten in Southeastern Conference play, but the Aggies lost four of their last five games.

Finishing strong was a point of emphasis throughout the offseason. Apparently, that will continue to be emphasized over the next month as the Aggies prepare for their Aug. 30 season-opener against Texas-San Antonio.

“It was a lot about really just finishing through the games and finishing at the end of the season when everyone is a little beat up and a little bit tired,” All-SEC tackle Trey Zuhn III said. “That’s when it gets hard to finish.

“At the end of our workout this whole offseason, we’ve talked about finishing the workouts, finishing the hard parts because we want to be able to do that when it counts during the season.”

Quarterback Marcel Reed confirmed as much.

“I feel like at the end of the summer, I kind of make a conscious decision to push a little harder,” he said. “Strength coaches always try to push me as well.

“They always say something like, ‘Marcel, you’ve got to score a touchdown right there. It’s fourth down.’ I feel like I did a really good job of just pushing as hard as I could, trying to be the first guy to finish across the line because I’m going to be the guy touching the ball every play before anybody else gets it.”

Reed cited a 43-41 four-overtime loss to Auburn as an example of A&M’s failures to finish strong last season.

He even took responsibility for the loss because of a key dropped snap late in regulation. In truth, Reed was a major factor in A&M rallying from an early 21-0 deficit, so he shouldn’t shoulder all the blame.

But team leaders typically accept responsibility whether it’s warranted or not.

“Flashback to Auburn. We definitely could have won that game, but I dropped the ball on a snap,” Reed said. “That was critical in our four-minute offense to the loss we had last year. Definitely, not going to do that again. Hopefully, not going to be in that situation again, anyway.

“I’ve done a lot of things this summer just to try to emphasize that we have to finish in everything we do. Going to class, being on time for meals, getting to the weight room on time, finishing lifts. Everybody has heard it from coach (Mike) Elko and our captains.

“We’re harping on that really hard this year. We’re going to make a huge difference in the fourth quarter.”

Better the second time around

Elko expressed excitement to get started. He also hinted that great accomplishments are within the Aggies' reach.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After starting 7-1 in 2024, Texas A&M slumped to an 8-5 finish in Mike Elko’s first season in College Station.

“There’s always a buzz in the air when you hit this moment,” Elko said. “Kids report today. Meetings start tonight. Tomorrow night we’re on the field, ready to roll.

“I think this has the opportunity to build into something that can be a really special year. Everybody says that. That’s what this time of the year is about. We’ve got 30 days now to start the process of building a team that’s capable of accomplishing the things we want to accomplish.”

Elko acknowledged that every coach in the nation probably made a similar comment.

But he also said the Aggies are way ahead of the pace from this time last year when he was in his first season at the A&M helm.

“I just think you have such a better feel for what this group is capable of. What this group needs. Where it needs to get better,” he said. “So you’re able to kind of really go in with a tailored plan to attack it.”

Health report

Though plagued by injuries in 2024, the Aggies are starting 2025 in almost perfect health.

“Everybody is ready to go first practice,” Elko said. “We’re excited. (Freshman offensive lineman) Marcus Garcia is the one kid who’s nursing a little something. We’ll see where that goes. Other than that, we’re good to go.”

Last season, the Aggies lost running back Rueben Owens in camp. Center Mark Nabou Jr. and nickel back Tyreek Chappell were lost for the season before the third game.

All-SEC running back Le’Veon Moss was lost for the season in early November. Guard Chase Bisontis was in and out of the lineup because of injury.

“We had some guys go down to some freak things,” Elko said. “Usually, those things balance themselves out over time. Hopefully, we’re ready for a good run of luck. We certainly could use one of those for a season here at Texas A&M.”

Weight for Reed

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Marcel Reed appeared in 11 games and made eight starts in 2024. He accounted for 21 total touchdowns as a redshirt freshman last fall.

Throughout the offseason, Reed had the enviable task of adding weight to his slight frame.

He once said he played part of last season at 177 pounds. Now the full-time starter, the Aggies hoped he could gain some weight to help increase durability.

The hope was he could get up to 190 pounds.

“He’s close,” Elko said. “I think he’s got a natural metabolism that I wish I had, but he’s close to where we want him.”

Reed said he’s hovering around the mid-180s.

“Right now I’m a little low sitting at 182,” he said. “I’m trying to be at 187 around the season, just because I go up and down.

“One-ninety is the goal. I probably won’t get it because we’re going to be in practice, so I’m sitting around the mid-180s right now.”

Passing grade

Last season, Reed passed for 1,864 yards and 15 touchdowns. He completed 61.3 percent of his passes (147 of 240).

That’s not bad, especially for a then-redshirt freshman who was forced into the starting lineup because of injury.

However, Reed is expected to make a huge jump in production now that he’s the unquestioned starter.

“I feel like I’ve had tremendous growth in my passing this offseason,” Reed said. “We’ve had some great receivers come in. Just having the O-line that we have, the running backs that we have, it’s made it a lot easier for me to be able to sit back there and make these throws. The receivers we have now have made it a lot easier as well.

“I think I feel a lot more confident back there. Finding ways to protect myself, knowing the offense a little bit better, and just being confident as a quarterback behind the O-line.”

Bigger, Faster, Stronger

Players tend to show significant progress in their position coaches’ second season.

That also applies to the second year under the strength & conditioning coaches.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Applying the “Moffitt Method” to the Maroon & White, Tommy Moffitt was hired by Texas A&M in December of 2023.

Elko mentioned several players who made major strides under second-year strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt.

“There’s a level at which you can push the body that — quite honestly — we weren’t real good when we started in Year 1,” Elko said. “Some of you guys (media) were out here during winter workouts in the early stages when we got here. Our capacity to work was not real high.

“Because of that, you’re playing catch-up all the way through the winter, all the way through the summer. You build it to the best you can. Then you come back in Year 2, and that strength and conditioning capacity starts at a higher level.”

Elko previously mentioned defensive end Rylan Kennedy has gained 100 pounds of strength. He also cited defensive end Cashius Howell, safety Marcus Ratcliffe and freshman receiver TK Norman, among others, for making noticeable physical gains.

“Cashius Howell had a really strong summer. His body looks really, really good,” Elko said. “Marcus Ratcliffe, I think, has really done a phenomenal job in the weight room. Really excited about him.

“Then you just even go down to some of the young kids. I was talking to TK Norman the other day. TK Norman has put on 20 pounds and all kinds of muscle. He showed up at 165, and he’s 185 right now.

“I don’t want to be cliche, but we’re a bigger, faster, stronger team. Now we’ve got to play football well.”

One-two punch at linebacker

Scooby Williams suggested he and Taurean York complement each other perfectly at linebacker.

“He’s the brains. I’m the brawn,” the 230-pound Williams said. “Now, I’ve got brains, too. I’ve got brains, too.

“York is the leader. He knows the defense through and through. He brings out like an edge that you replicate. I’m just going to go out there and ball every play.

“I feel like that’s going to work hand and hand.”

York, a preseason All-American and All-SEC selection, last season led A&M with 82 tackles.

Williams, hampered by a torn meniscus in a knee, missed two games and was slowed in several others. He still posted 43 tackles, of which 7.5 resulted in lost yardage. He also intercepted a pass vs. Mississippi State.