Tag: Taurean York

Three Aggies named to the Preseason Media Days All-SEC Team

One Texas A&M starter was utterly snubbed in the newest preseason All-SEC Team

In its annual summer fashion, SEC Media Days provided more insight into what to expect from the 2024 SEC football season, now just weeks away.

During the four-day event, the national media heard from every head coach of all 16 teams, including 48 player representatives. Speaking on the final day, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko was as calm and confident as ever, returning to the program after two years away.

Accompanying Elko, defensive lineman Shemar Turner, left tackle Trey Zuhn III and middle linebacker Taurean York were the right choices to represent Texas A&M, with offensive line and defense playing a critical part in the team’s potential success.

With another exciting week in the books, the first official conference standings prediction and the preseason All-SEC team have been revealed, as three Aggies, including Trey Zuhn and Shemar Turner, were named to the team.

  • Third Team OL — Trey Zuhn III
  • Second Team DL — Shemar Turner
  • Second Team DL — Nic Scourton

Trey Zuhn was by far A&M’s most consistent offensive lineman last season while the interior struggled. The 6’8″, 315-pound junior will play a big part in protecting starting quarterback Conner Weigman throughout the season.

Defensively, the D-line looks like the Aggies’ predominant strength on paper, and former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton recorded a Big Ten-leading 10 sacks last season. In comparison, Turner’s six sacks were second behind current Green Bay linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in 2023 and will now switch to defensive tackle after adding 30 pounds this offseason.

However, linebacker Taurean York, who was second on the team with 74 tackles and three sacks during his freshman season, was obviously snubbed, as the sophomore is set to make a jump in his play after adding healthy mass to his frame this summer.

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‘It’s that personal,’ Texas A&M sophomore LB Taurean York explains disdain for Longhorns

“I don’t talk to anybody from Texas because it’s that personal to me. It’s been a whirlwind year and a half that I’ve experienced so far.”

The infamous Lone Star Showdown is back on the gridiron in just over four months as Texas A&M hosts Texas at Kyle Field in College Station.

As we begin to look ahead towards the highly anticipated rivalry matchup, Aggies sophomore linebacker Taurean York was asked about the game on Thursday at SEC media days in Dallas.

“I don’t talk to anybody from Texas because it’s that personal to me,” York proclaimed. “It’s been a whirlwind, crazy year and a half that I’ve experienced so far. I wouldn’t want it any other way. God’s been blessing me, my family, we’ve all been reaping the benefits of it. We’re happy to be here.

“People have grown up and matured in a sense that they might not have had without the leadership and guidance from coach Elko and his staff.”

Texas A&M and Texas face off for state supremacy on Nov. 30 in Aggieland.

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Texas A&M LB Taurean York is bigger, stronger, and ready to dominate in 2024

Year 2 for Taurean York could be his best yet

Before Jimbo Fisher’s dismissal, one of his final recruiting victories during his Texas A&M tenure was landing a commitment from former 2023 3-star linebacker Taurean York, one of the most underrated athletes in the cycle.

After earning the starting middle linebacker job during his freshman season, the Temple (TX) native took full advantage of his opportunity, showing flashes of brilliance while finishing with 74 tackles (38 solo tackles), three sacks, and a forced fumble on the year.

While the 2023 season was a disappointment, the defensive line showed promise, and heading into the 2024 campaign, York, along with former Pitt linebacker Solomon DeSheilds, has a chance to thrive behind what could be the best D-line in the SEC.

No matter how well he performed last season, York continues to fly under the national radar, but not with his team. Recognized as a 2024 team captain, York joined head coach Mike Elko, defensive tackle Shemar Turner, and left tackle Trey Zuhn III during last week’s SEC Media Days, providing insight into what we should expect this fall.

However, it wasn’t so much what York said compared to Turner’s quote regarding his teammate’s development this offseason, noting how York’s love for the game has accelerated his play at such a young age:

“The respect he’s gotten since he was a freshman is crazy. The way he approaches the game… He loves the sport of football.”

“Having a guy like that at that young of an age is crazy. He gained the respect of everyone quick.”

As the saying goes, “Respect is earned, not given,” York’s determined demeanor and intelligence are unmatched. At the same time, his offseason work under new strength & conditioning coach Tommy Moffit will likely produce a bigger and stronger player with the same speed and athleticism to stuff running holes and make his way into the backfield.

Adding five pounds of mass so far, York’s current 6’0″, 235-pound frame looks more than ready to take on the 2024 slate, starting with Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31.

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Under Mike Elko, Texas A&M will have alot more quiet offseasons

The Mike Elko era is off to a solid start

The Jimbo Fisher era provided plenty of headaches for Texas A&M fans for five of his six seasons at the helm, while former athletic director Ross Bjork deserves plenty of blame for granting him a lengthy extension, resulting in Fisher’s now famous $76 million buyout after his dismissal last November.

After a decade of overhyped, loud, often ridiculous offseasons under Fisher and former head coach Kevin Sumlin before him, Bjork, before departing for Ohio State, made what will soon be considered his best hire in Mike Elko, who spent nearly four seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator (2018-2021).

It will obviously take a couple of years to accurately grade Elko’s success in College Station. His resume as a coordinator is now matched with his last two seasons in Durham, where he won 16 games and two bowl games while utilizing the transfer portal year after year.

Nationally, most college football analysts applaud Elko’s hiring and feel he is a perfect fit for a program needing a culture change post-Fisher. During this week’s SEC Media Days, every media member, including CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah, noticed the drastic change in Elko’s approach to previewing the 2024 season.

Stepping up to the podium for his first SEC Media Days appearance, Elko’s blue-collar, workman-like approach to the game has already made its mark, providing a realistic view of Texas A&M’s stagnant trajectory over the past two seasons after he left the program.

“We had to have some real, honest conversations when I took over about where we were as a program,” Elko stated. “We can’t verbalize what we are; facts tell us who we are. We were a 12-13 football program the last two years. The only way to change that is to work.”

He is returning to a roster that features several of his recruits from the Aggies’ historic 2022 recruiting class, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman; he brings familiarity to his tactics, which were embraced by all three player representatives, including starting defensive tackle Shemar Turner:

That’s one thing that Coach Elko prides himself on: work,” Turner stated “If you work, he’s going to love you.”

As we have seen in years past from various programs, quiet offseasons usually breed in-season success as team unity is built in the weight room during the offseason, especially under new strength and condition coach Tommy Moffit. However, Elko knows that no matter how talented his team is on paper, the proof is in the pudding once they hit the ground running.

“You earn the right to have success in the game of football,” Elko stated. “I think that’s a recipe that has stood the test of time. The offseason is about being in places where nobody’s watching, where no one’s following you on Instagram, where nobody’s posting about what you’re doing. It’s about getting up every day and going to get better so you can have success in the fall.”

Something I stick to in my life is that any outside “noise” prevents us from reaching our daily goals of getting better at our chosen profession. Texas A&M will experience a plethora of highs and lows this coming season. Still, I can guarantee that under Elko’s guidance, a lack of discipline, toughness, and consistent work ethic will keep the Aggies in every game till the final whistle blows.

Texas A&M will kick off the 2024 season vs. Notre Dame in prime time on Saturday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

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Best photos from Texas A&M at the SEC Media Day

View some of the best photos from Texas A&M players and Mike Elko at the SEC Media Day

The real countdown to Texas A&M vs Notre Dame has begun. Even though fall practice has not started yet SEC Media Days really gives fans early insight into the conference and their favorite teams. The Aggies were represented by Trey Zuhn, Taurean York, Shemar Turner, and Mike Elko.

The biggest takeaway from all of the player interviews was the sense of urgency and the heightened emphasis on accountability.

“We are going to be the most disciplined program and toughest program. Get to work every day, bust our butts… It will show up on the field.” – Zuhn

“Nobody is missing breakfast. Nobody is missing lunch. Nobody is missing dinner… If you love playing football, you love being coached hard.” – Turner

Another thing was A&M will be making a switch to a lunch pail mentality

“We had some real honest conversations about where we were as a program. We were a 12-13 football program the last two years. The only way to change that is to work.” – Elko

Below are some of the best photos from the SEC Media Days

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Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman is ‘running now and full speed’ ahead of the 2024 season

Conner Weigman is ready to roll heading into the 2024 season

During the final day of this week’s SEC Media Days, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko was joined by three player representatives, including left tackle Trey Zuhn, linebacker Taurean York, and defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who collectively previewed the upcoming 2024 season.

Taking the podium while answering questions from the local media throughout the day, quarterback Conner Weigman’s status has been a constant talking point since the redshirt sophomore sustained a season-ending foot injury just four games into the 2023 season.

During the spring football season, Weigman practiced and played in the Maroon & White spring game but was kept in the pocket to prevent further damage while continuing to heal from surgery.

Three months later, Elko has now reported that Weigman is finally healthy and running at full speed, focused on wiping away last season’s disappointment and looking forward to leading the rejuvenated Aggies to a potential playoff spot.

Regarding his progress this offseason, Elko noted that the talent is there, but the sample size is small. So, staying healthy throughout the year and improving protection across the offensive line are paramount.

“He just needs to stay focused on the day-to-day of becoming a great quarterback. Obviously, he was playing at a high level through six games.”

“It’s his third year of college football, but he has only played six games.”

Speaking with linebacker Taurean York, the sophomore revealed Weigman’s evergrowing leadership. He invited the entire A&M wide receiver corps to spend the July 4 weekend together to bond and develop much-needed chemistry.

“Conner has taken the next step in being a leader.”

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‘I really earned it,’ Texas A&M LB Taurean York shares reaction to SEC Media Days invite

“I really feel like it was a blessing because I know that I really earned it. I know that I came from a 3-star and not many people knew me.”

In a recent interview with TexAgs, Texas A&M sophomore linebacker Taurean York shared his reaction to finding out that he’d be attending SEC Football Media Days in Dallas next week.

“I really feel like it was a blessing because I know that I really earned it. I know that I came from a 3-star and not too many people knew me whenever I signed here. But I think it’s a blessing just to have the ability to represent my teammates and that my teammates and my coaching staff feels like I’m capable and applicable to represent them at media day,” York explained. “We’re here to stay and we’re here to prove a point. Really, I feel like we have a lot of experience. We got coach Elko, obviously he’s a brilliant defensive mind but he’s a great head coach as well. He breaks us down how to win the game. Coach Moffitt has championship experience.

“So those two combined, I like our chances this year.”

York will be joined by teammates, senior defensive lineman Shemar Turner and junior offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III.

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Texas A&M’s SEC media days representatives have been revealed

Mike Elko will be joined by three starters during next week’s SEC media days event

Next week, SEC media days will head to downtown Dallas, Texas, inside the Omni Hotel for the first time in the annual event’s history. To officially kick off the 2024 season, all 16 SEC head coaches will be accompanied by three players of their choosing.

After two years as Duke’s head coach and three years as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, the prodigal son, Mike Elko, has returned to College Station. His return brings a wave of nostalgia and hope, as he now has the chance to cement himself as an instant success after inheriting a talented and experienced roster.

As the second to last speaker on Thursday night, Elko will be accompanied by three starters on offense and defense, as starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III, starting middle linebacker Taurean York, and starting defensive end Shemar Turner will also make the trip to Dallas.

As the 2024 season nears, expectations have continued to mount after the Aggie’s successful transfer portal haul, while starting quarterback Conner Weigman is finally healthy and ready to get back to work after missing the final eight games of the 2023 season.

As four coaches will speak daily, SEC media days will take place from Monday, July 15, to Thursday, July 18.

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Texas A&M’s Taurean York named Best Linebacker on DCTF All-Texas College Team

All- SEC linebacker Taurean York is named Best Linebacker on Dave Campbell’s All- Texas Team

It’s summertime so you know what that means. Baseball and early preseason All-football teams are starting to drop. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF), the godfather of all things football in the Lone Star State, has announced their 2024 All-Texas College Team.

Sophomore Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York burst onto the scene during his freshman year, taking hold of the starting role early and becoming one of the leaders of the defense. At the end of his first year, York amassed 74 total tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 3 sacks en route to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

DCTF named their top players at each position and York made the cut as the Best Linebacker for the All-Texas College Team. Naturally, that also placed him on the All-Texas First Team defense.

However, he was not the only Aggie to make the team. Offensive tackle Trey Zuhn III was named to the first team offense and wide receiver Noah Thomas made the second team. On the defensive side top transfer, Nic Scourton was named to the first team as a defensive end.

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Texas A&M HC Mike Elko names his captains for the 2024 season

Texas A&M HC Mike Elko has named linebacker Taurean York and left tackle Trey Zuhn as the 2024 season captains.

On Monday afternoon, just five days before Texas A&M’s annual Maroon & White spring game, head coach Mike Elko, along with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and offensive line coach Adam Cushing, presented the jerseys to the two young men selected as the 2024 captains.

The recipients, sophomore linebacker Taurean York and redshirt sophomore left tackle Trey Zuhn III, were by far the most deserving candidates due to their leadership in the locker room and consistent play on the field in 2023.

York finished second on the team in tackles with 74, including three sacks. At the same time, Zuhn, who has fought through injuries throughout his career as a starter, was the top-graded offensive lineman for the Aggies throughout last season.

Before leaving to become Duke’s head coach after the 2021 season, Mike Elko, who served as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator (2018-2021), helped recruit both players, helping further ease his transition before Texas A&M opens the 2024 season vs. Notre Dame on Aug. 31.

Congratulations to both young men!

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