With 45 days remaining until Texas A&M kicks off the 2026 campaign against the Missouri State Bears, the Aggies’ third-year head coach took to the podium at SEC Media Days on Wednesday to answer questions from the media and discuss what his team is bringing to the table this season.
Mike Elko led his team to the program’s first 11-0 start since 1992 and earned a spot as a host site for the first round of the College Football Playoff, in which the Miami Hurricanes eliminated the Aggies. Through his first two seasons at the helm in College Station, Elko boasts the second-best two-year start (19-7), trailing only former Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin.
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During the offseason, the Aggies tied a program record with 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, while also hauling in the No. 3 transfer portal class and No. 7 recruiting class for the upcoming campaign. Elko retained some of the most electric players in the nation, with wide receiver Mario Craver, quarterback Marcel Reed, running back Rueben Owens II and many others returning for another year competing for the Maroon and White in College Station.
The ceiling has been raised for the program amid the recent success, but much work remains ahead of the Aggies if they want to claim the top prize in college football. There’s still some time before kickoff, but talking season in the SEC is officially underway.
Here is everything Elko said during Texas A&M’s press conference and preview of the upcoming season at the 2026 SEC Media Days on Wednesday:
Elko’s comments on the current status of Texas A&M athletics
“It’s really an exciting time to be part of the Texas A&M community, both on and off the field.”
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Elko shouts out the volleyball and women’s tennis programs for their respective national championships
“I love the culture that we have amongst our coaches at Texas A&M.”
Elko compliments the work SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has done
“He has become the forefront for college football in a lot of ways… He has done a phenomenal job of leading this conference through an era of historic change.”
Elko discusses what he’s seen from quarterback Marcel Reed this offseason
“He returns as our starting quarterback. It’s his fourth season in our program. Really excited about his growth,” Elko said. “Really proud of how he’s handled this offseason. He has remained really humble.”
Elko provides more comments on his junior gunslinger
“He was our leading vote-getter as a captain, and we like how he has stepped into that leadership role for our team.”
“He has blossomed into one of the best linebackers that I’ve been able to coach at Texas A&M,” Elko said. “Really looking forward to what he’s able to do this year.”
Elko’s response to Sanford getting surgery on Monday after suffering the injury in the Maroon & White game, being released from the hospital on Tuesday and returning to meetings on Wednesday
“That was NOT because we asked him to.”
Elko comments on Marcus Ratcliffe’s 3:12
“His organization gives $312 for every turnover we cause on defense… He’s a really, really cool kid who has done some amazing things with his platform.”
Elko thanks the 12th Man
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the 12th Man for their continued support,” Elko said. “We set an attendance record with over 106,000 people at our home games. That’s an average of 103% capacity of our stadium.”
Elko on the 2026 schedule
“Those are big challenges, but those are challenges that we, as a program, are excited to meet head-on,” Elko said. “We’re excited for what’s ahead. We’re excited for the challenges.”
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Elko speaks on electric wide receiver Mario Craver
“(His ceiling is) really high. He’s one of the more explosive, dynamic slot receivers that I’ve been around.”
Elko on Alabama transfer wideout Isaiah Horton
“We’ve been searching for that size guy since we got there,” Elko said. “Going out and getting a guy who has the ability to have a big catch radius and make the contested catches… I’ve been really excited about his development through this offseason.”
Elko comments on the promotion of Holmon Wiggins to be the new offensive coordinator
“We ran a national search and talked to a lot of guys. One of the mistakes we make is that we assume new is always better,” Elko said. “He has a lot of experience at Texas A&M and in this conference. … I have a ton of confidence in who he is as a football coach.”
Elko on the lack of creating turnovers last season
“Turnovers is a skill. Your ability to punch and attack the football to cause turnovers is a skill, just like blocking, tackling and catching,” Elko said. “We had opportunities to create them and just didn’t do it properly.”
Elko discusses the national narrative of Reed and his potential as a signal-caller
“The narrative around Marcel (Reed) has been pretty fair,” Elko said. “At his highs, he can be an elite quarterback… We know if he can play at his best consistently, he has an opportunity to have a really, really high ceiling.”
Elko on how he is keeping Texas A&M motivated
“I show them our trophy case, and it’s empty. They’re all very aware of that. … It’s not lost on us that we haven’t won the hardware that we’re searching for.”
Elko’s response on the importance of the Lone Star Showdown
“I don’t have a day go by without being reminded how important that game is to me.”
Elko on Texas A&M’s success in sending defensive linemen to the NFL
“We’ve had more defensive linemen drafted than any school in the country since I got to Texas A&M in 2018.”
Elko’s thoughts on the Aggie running back room and whether Rueben Owens II is the feature back
“Training camp will determine a lot of that stuff.”
Elko on how many Aggies could be selected in this year’s NFL Draft
“We have an opportunity to get in that 10 range again.”
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Elko comments on the rivalry between the Aggies and Longhorns, along with his relationship with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian
“There is a lot of mutual respect between the two head coaches despite the fierce rivalry.”
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M football HC said during 2026 SEC Media Days
