Mike Elko’s Texas A&M Aggies are coming off a historic college football season in 2025, as the team made the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. The momentum hasn’t gone anywhere, as Elko’s program is expected to shine brightly once again in the 2026 season.
How Mike Elko’s Culture Shift at Texas A&M Is Drawing National Attention
In his podcast on Wednesday, SEC analyst Paul Finebaum said that most conversations around the conference seem to center on the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs. He then asked analyst Jake Crain who stands out the most after those two teams, and Crain pointed directly to Texas A&M.
“Maybe from a national perspective, I know that a lot of fans in the SEC are starting to garner a lot more respect for Texas A&M and what Mike Elko is building there,” Crain said. “You look at what they return, the success that they’ve recently had, and really the culture of what Mike Elko has brought back to Texas A&M, that grittiness, that trying to get every ounce of juice out of the squeeze.
“Having guys really believing that Texas A&M can take that next step and really continue to elevate as a program. I know they had a couple of injuries, including one to a captain on defense in the spring. You hate to see that. But the depth they’ve acquired and just the edge that they play with, man, I think that’s going to continue to build, and it’s really cemented itself.”
Crain was right, as linebacker Daymion Sanford’s lower-leg injury during the Maroon & White Game on April 18 was definitely a big blow for Texas A&M. He finished last season with 57 total tackles (25 solo), 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. His performance earned him a 75.8 score on the PFSN College Football LB Impact Metric, and he was also voted a team captain earlier this spring.
According to insider Matt Zenitz, Sanford is expected to miss at least part of the 2026 season. It will put added pressure on Texas A&M’s linebacker depth as they adjust without one of their defensive leaders. This comes at a time when the roster is already undergoing transition, with departures to the 2026 NFL draft, including key contributors like Taurean York and KC Concepcion.
However, the most obvious reason for optimism is the return of quarterback Marcel Reed, who is seen as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in 2026. His developing chemistry with Isaiah Horton is another major storyline this spring, as Horton is expected to become the primary receiving threat on the outside.
The grittiness Crain referred to is backed up by performance data as well, as Elko’s defense ranked No. 2 nationally in 2025 in Havoc Rate at 19.1%. Even after losing edge rusher Cashius Howell, Texas A&M has reinforced its depth with talents like Anto Saka and Marco Jones. It is expected to help maintain confidence that the defensive identity will remain intact in the 2026 season as well.
