The 2024 season is just weeks away, and in just a month, Mike Elko’s inaugural season with Texas A&M will kick off the season against Notre Dame inside a packed Kyle Field on Saturday, August 31.
On Tuesday, Elko took questions from the local media in College Station to officially open up the fall practice schedule, and thanks to the journalists in the room, the former Duke head coach provided key updates regarding nearly every position group, including the offensive line.
Over the years, it has become a proven fact that every college football team’s offense is only as good as its O-line, providing the quarterback time to scan the field and holes in the running game to move the ball down the field. For Texas A&M, the trenches were a disaster during former HC Jimbo Fisher’s final season at the helm.
This offseason, new additions combined with nearly every 2023 starter returning gave O-line coach Adam Cushing plenty to work with. According to Elko, this group may not be a predominant strength, but they have steadily improved.
“From where we were to where we are, it would be hard to stand here in front of you and tell you it’s a strength. We’ve made a lot of strides and really improved.”
“It will be significantly better than it was in the spring.”
While left tackle Trey Zuhn III and, likely, former Kansas OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams will start at left tackle and left guard, respectfully, nearly every other position is still up for grabs, including the center position. Elko noted that while Mark Nabou and former Utah OL Kolinu’u Faaiu are the primary competitors, junior Kam Dewberry is reportedly in the mix.
According to Elko, sophomore Chase Bisontis will officially slide into guard after starting nearly every game at right tackle this season.
“Chase (Bisontis) has been a guard all the way. He has never left guard. We feel that’s the right spot for him.”
“He has been a guard since day one with us.”
Elko’s quote may worry some Aggie fans, but the truth is that improvement from where this group was last year should more than help Collin Klein’s offense thrive with Conner Weigman under center.
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