Elko's problem-solving progress to be judged this weekend vs. UTSA

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Eight months have passed since Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko expressed frustration with the Aggies’ pass coverage following a Las Vegas Bowl loss to USC.

In that time, the Aggies have had an entire offseason, spring football practices and August camp to address those coverage issues, which caused A&M to be ranked 90th in the nation in pass defense.

Those issues need to be addressed in this weekend’s season-opener against UTSA at Kyle Field.

Last year, UTSA was ranked 11th nationally in passing offense. Quarterback Owen McCown passed for more than 250 yards in seven games.

He’s back. So are four of the Roadrunners’ top five receivers from 2024.

They figure to test just how much progress the Aggies will have made in pass coverage.

To make improvements, defensive backs Julio Humphrey and Jordan Shaw arrived via the transfer portal. Tyreek Chappell returned from injury. Will Lee III opted to shun the NFL Draft and return for a final year at A&M. Remaining veterans and newcomers have been coached up.

“Obviously, over the last nine months, we believe we have solved the problem,” Elko said during his weekly press conference on Monday. “We believe we’ve recruited and coached and did the things we need to do to solve the problems. The reality is we’ll find out Saturday night. I’m sure we’ll be judged on that.”

Second chances

Elko indicated he has no concerns about quarterback Marcel Reed’s passing ability. He did, however, acknowledge that Reed has to hone some mechanics to reach his full potential.

“Marcel has zero problems throwing the football,” Elko said. “Marcel has to get his feet, his rhythm, his timing in line with the passing game in order to deliver the ball the way he’s capable of delivering it.

“I think we’ve seen that (in practice). Now, again, you’ve got to [get] out on Kyle Field, and you’ve got to deliver. That’s what Saturday night will be.”

Reed entered last season as a backup to Conner Weigman. A combination of Weigman injuries and erratic play led to Reed making eight starts.

He wasn’t bad. Reed passed for 1,864 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Elko expects more as Reed enters his second season as a starter. Reed, Elko said, has improved his footwork, accuracy and ability to read defenses.

“The second time you do anything, you can do it so much better,” Elko said. “Maybe not even to the same degree that your third or fourth time.

“Year one, you don’t have any idea. You go into it as a starter, and you don’t know what it means. You don’t know what film study means. You don’t know why coach is on you about all these little details and little things until you go out in the game — and the game is moving as fast as it is, and the speed of the game is as fast as it is. You’re maybe a step slower at times than you really want to be.

“You learn that when you go through experience. I think he came through all of that with a really good understanding of what it takes to be a quarterback in the SEC.”

Embarassment of riches

Elko announced All-SEC running back Le’Veon Moss is fully recovered from a knee injury, which prematurely ended his 2024 campaign.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Playing in just one-third of the 2024 season, A&M RB Le’Veon Moss recorded 765 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“Le’Veon is good to go,” Elko said. "He’s had a really, really strong two weeks, and we’re excited to get him back out there.”

That’s obviously great news. Moss rushed for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns, even though he missed one-third of the season because of the injury.

A healthy Moss heads what projects as one of the deepest running back rooms in the nation.

Rueben Owens II, once a five-star prospect, has also recovered from an injury that forced him to miss all but two games last season.

Amari Daniels, who rushed for 661 yards and eight touchdowns in a backup role last season, is back for his final year.

Also, EJ Smith reportedly had a strong camp, as did freshman Jamarion Morrow.

Elko and running backs coach Trooper Taylor may have to get creative to figure out how to utilize all that talent in the backfield.

“They have different skill sets, so you have certain things in mind,” Elko said. “OK, these are Le’Veon’s plays. These are Rueben’s plays. This is where we’re going to get Amari and EJ involved.

“These are the things the young kid (Morrow) can handle, and this is what we want to get him in there to do.

“Then you’ve got to improvise. That’s like every rotation you set up. You get into the game and you try to figure out: What’s working? What’s not working? Who’s playing at a high level? And then you roll with it.”

Elko stressed the importance of depth at running back. The injuries to Moss and Owens last season are hard evidence.

“It’s important we get everybody ready,” he said. “It’s important that everybody understands it’s a long season. It’s important that everybody understands that there’s going to come a time we’re going to need each and every one of them to shoulder a load and a burden to help us win a game and keep this thing moving forward.”

Will Huffman, TexAgs

A&M receiver Terry Bussey is one of the top candidates to return punts this season, according to Mike Elko.

Happy returns

Elko said receivers KC Concepcion and Terry Bussey are the top candidates to return punts this season. Bussey is also vying with Morrow and Owens to handle kickoff return duties.

“I think (we’re) trying to get more explosive,” Elko said. “That’s not just the returners. We need to do a better job in our return units of setting up returns and achieving success.”

In recent seasons, the Aggies have been blessed with outstanding kick returners, whether it be Ainias Smith on punts, Devon Achane on kickoffs or Christian Kirk on both.

Last season, the Aggies’ return game slipped a little. They weren’t bad on kickoffs. A&M was ranked sixth in the SEC in kickoff returns, but the Aggies were last in punt returns with a 3.87-yard average.

Upgrading the punt return unit is a high priority.

“The way the game has shifted now, I think punt returns have taken a much stronger emphasis,” Elko said. “Every kickoff seems to go out of bounds now, so the kickoff/kickoff return game has gotten a lot more limited in terms of your opportunity to impact the game.

“That’s kind of elevated a little bit of the priority on punt block/punt return to make that unit a unit that can impact the game.”

NOTES

• Elko announced redshirt freshman Miles O’Neill has won the job as the backup quarterback to Reed. O’Neill was competing primarily with UAB transfer Jacob Zeno.

• Freshman receiver Jerome Myles sustained a “lower leg” injury, which required surgery. He’ll miss the season.

• Also, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Isendre “Papa” Ahfua will miss the season with a lower leg injury.

• Tackle Reuben Fatheree II will be out “at least the first few games” with a lower leg injury.

• Elko said outside of those three injuries, the Aggies are healthy.