Tag: texas aggies football

WATCH: Maroon team finds the end zone twice to take a 14-3 lead in the spring game

Le’Veon Moss breaks the game open for the Maroon team during Texas A&M’s spring game, followed by a Marcel Reed TD To Noah Thomas

Texas A&M’s Maroon & White spring game is off to the races despite the inclement weather. The game was moved up an hour to avoid the rain predicted for later in the day. Aggie fans have seen new head coach Mike Elko back on the sidelines for the first time since his defensive coordinator days (2017-2021) with the program.

It’s been a slow day for both offenses, as several presumed 2024 starters are sitting out. The quarterbacks have looked solid for the most part, starting with the limit reps Conner Weigman has taken. For the Maroon team, sophomore Marcel Reed took notable strides, aided by an enhanced running back rotation that now features the son of NFL Hall of Fame RB Emmett Smith, E.J. Smith, who transferred from Stanford earlier this year.

However, don’t forget about 2023 starting running back Le’Veon Moss, who broke the game open with an impressive inside touchdown run to give the Maroon Team a 7-3 lead. As both defenses continued to impress, Reed’s impressive play led the Maroon down the field again, soon finding wide receiver Noah Thomas on a rollout in the endzone to take a 14-3 lead into halftime.

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Here are the players who have not dressed out for the Maroon & White spring game

Here are they players you won’t see during the Aggies’ Maroon & White spring game on Saturday afternoon

Texas A&M’s spring season will come to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the annual Maroon & White spring game will wrap up what has been a successful precursor to head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural 2024 season.

However, while this game provides a glimpse of what’s to come during fall camp and the strides the roster has made in just two months under the new regime, several notable players will not appear this afternoon.

Just half an hour before both teams took the field, it was released that over 20 players, including several presumed 2024 starters, will not appear in the spring game due to injury or basic precaution, and thanks to GigEm247’s Carter Karels, here is the complete list of the players who will sit out on Saturday.

Out of that list, former five-star cornerback Dezz Ricks and returning tight end Donovan Green’s absence is notable. Still, if they need added rest and recovery ahead of arduous months ahead, this is more than warranted.

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Breaking: Texas A&M has landed a commitment from former Utah OL Koli Faaiu

Boom! Texas A&M has landed a commitment from versatile Utah offensive lineman Kolinu’u Faaiu out of the transfer portal

Boom! Texas A&M has continued to add valuable veterans through the transfer portal this offseason, already taking full advantage of the spring transfer portal window to address lingering depth issues across the offensive line, now landing a commitment from versatile former Utah OL Koliu’u Faaiu on Saturday morning according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

After losing former Troy OL Derrick Graham, who re-entered the portal earlier this week, Elko and new offensive line coach Adam Cushing, who has been crushing it on the recruiting trail, knew what Faaiu could bring to the Aggie’s interior offensive line as soon as next season.

While redshirt junior Bryce Foster is assumed to retake the starting center job next season, he has been absent from the spring football period due to his responsibilities as a track and field athlete. Again, this is just presumed, as Faaiu is coming off his 2023 season with eight starts at center under his belt while playing in 11 games along the Utes’ O-line.

Standing at 6-3 and 324 pounds, Faaiu understands leverage while consistently holding up in pass protection and is a plus run blocker when asked to clear a path. Expect him to compete for a starting spot at in the trenches, perhaps at center during fall camp.

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2025 4-star OL Jonte Newman has committed to Texas A&M

Boom! Texas A&M has landed a commitment from 2025 4-star OL Jonte Newman!

Boom! Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko have landed two four-star offensive line commitments in the 2025 class in the last two days, as four-star OL Jonte Newman joined four-star OL Connor Carty in announcing his intentions on Friday night.

As we reported earlier this week, Newman had received a prediction from reliable On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong that a commitment to the Aggies would be coming sooner than later, as the Bridgeland left tackle hails from the same program as Texas A&M starting quarterback Conner Weigman.

Now the ninth commit in A&M’s growing 2025 recruiting class, the Aggies are set to host another long list of prospects during Saturday’s Maroon & White spring game, meaning several future commitments could be on the horizon. As we can see, building in the trenches has become the No. 1 priority this offseason.

As the starting left tackle during Bridgeland’s 2023 campaign, Newman has been a stalwart in the trenches, standing at 6-4 and north of 247 pounds while possessing the athleticism, strength, and footwork to thrive at the next level.

According to On3’s industry ranking, Newman is currently positioned as the 28th-ranked offensive tackle in the 2025 cycle and the 29th-ranked prospect in Texas. Newman is coming off an unofficial visit to College Station.

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2025 5-star OL out of Lewisville (TX) will attend Texas A&M’s Maroon & White spring game

2025 5-star OL Michael Fasusi will reportedly attend the Aggies’ Maroon & White spring game

This weekend, Texas A&M’s annual Maroon & White spring game will take place inside what should be a semi-packed Kyle Field, as new head coach Mike Elko will walk the Aggie sideline for the first time ahead of his inaugural 2024 season.

Outside of the game, another long list of 2025, 2026, and 2027 prospects are set to attend the game, including several commits led by 2025 four-star quarterback Husan Longstreet and four-star offensive lineman Connor Carty, who committed to the program on Thursday.

According to Rivals’ Landon Rosow, 2025 five-star offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, who has now taken several visits to College Station this year, will reportedly return for Saturday’s game just a couple of weeks after announcing his Top 7 program list, which obviously includes Texas A&M.

Standing at 6 feet, 4 inches, and nearly 300 pounds, Fasusi is highly versatile, with experience at both tackle spots. His future is clearly at left tackle due to his quickness and impressive footwork. For the Aggies, Elko and his staff, led by new offensive line coach Adam Cushing, know the importance of acquiring as much O-line talent as possible to counter the elite pass rushes the SEC deploys year after year.

According to Rivals, Fasusi is the 11th-ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle, the third-ranked offensive tackle, and the third-ranked prospect in Texas.

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Report: Texas A&M is in the running for star Arizona State wide receiver

Texas A&M is reportedly in the running for one of the top playmakers in the country

With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, rumor season has begun to ramp up. In college football, the spring transfer portal has created tons of chatter regarding several starting players looking for a new collegiate home to compete for a championship in 2024.

For Texas A&M, new head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season has the potential to surprise nearly everyone in the country to judge the program based on past results, as the roster is stacked with talent and experience, starting with returning quarterback Conner Weigman.

However, with the departures of several wide receivers, including the reliable do-it-all Ainias Smith, the current receiver depth chart is talented but still like a playmaker that would make the Aggie’s offense a consistent threat in SEC play.

With plenty of veterans now available in the portal, a surprising name entered on Friday afternoon. Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger is now looking for a new home next season after posting over 135 receptions and 1,500-plus receiving yards in his last two seasons in Tucson.

Interestingly enough, 247Sports’ Chris Karpman has now reported that Alabama and Texas A&M are potential suitors for the talented pass catcher. Also, according to Karpman, Badger has been dealing with notable back soreness during the spring practice period but should be in full health going into the fall.

During his 2023 junior season with the Sun Devils, Badger hauled in 65 receptions, 713 yards, and three touchdowns on the year.

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3 Aggies listed in CBS Sports’ ‘Top 100 Players’ of 2024 rankings

Three Texas A&M defenders, including two from the transfer portal, have made CBS Sports’ “Top 100 players of 2024” rankings.

Texas A&M’s Maroon & White spring game is just two days away. Head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season will get a sneak peek on Saturday afternoon, but as of now, prepare for potential inclement weather.

In terms of the roster, a bevy of new faces on both offense and defense will make their Aggie debut after a mostly successful spring period. Throughout the spring practice period, Elko has praised the play of several transfer portal additions on defense, including former Purdue Edge Nic Scourton.

This week, CBS Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer released his Top 100 players list ahead of the 2024 season, as three Aggie defenders, including Scourton, made the rankings. Here are all three players:

  • No. 31: Cashius Howell (Edge)
  • No. 44: Nic Scourton (Edge)
  • No. 60: Shemar Turner (Defensive line)

Cashius Howell has the length and speed to get the backfield consistently, recording 9.5 sacks for Bowling Green last season. In comparison, Nic Scourton’s postion versatility and brute strength produced a Big Ten-leading 10 sacks for Purdue in 2023.

Shemar Turner is in a league of his own, returning for a final season in Aggieland, bringing the strength and size to play inside if needed. Already a noted run-stopper, Turner’s strong hands and athleticism make him one of the more feared pass rushers in the SEC.

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Texas A&M is set to host former Penn State WR this weekend

In need of more wide receiver depth, Texas A&M will reportedly host WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith this weekend

Just three days until the annual Maroon & White spring game, Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko will now reportedly host one of the top playmakers who recently entered the spring transfer portal, as former Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith is back on the market.

After it was revealed that former Troy WR Jabre Barber sustained an injury that will keep him sidelined for at least four months, adding one or two more proven receivers to the roster was a priority regardless of Barber’s sustained absence.

While the current wide receiver depth chart is respectable, Ainias Smith’s departure to the draft, coupled with Evan Stewart’s transfer to Oregon, left a noticeable experienced-based hole. As soon as it was announced that Lambert-Smith was back in the portal, Elko and his staff immediately made the call.

Standing at 6-1 and nearly 190 pounds, Lambert-Smith has been extremely productive for the Nittany Lions over the past four seasons. He recorded 1,721 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns through the air, including a career-high 673 yards and four scores in 2023.

With size, speed, and experience, this would be a home run signing for a team just a couple of playmakers away from competing in 2024. According to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Lambert-Smith will visit Texas A&M on Saturday, April 20, to the following Monday after visiting Auburn the previous Thursday-Saturday.

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Texas A&M safety has officially entered the transfer portal

Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews has officially entered the spring transfer portal, as expected

Well, it’s official, but expected, as Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews has officially entered the transfer portal according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, as the spring portal has re-opened until April 30.

During his two seasons in College Station, Mathews (6-2, 205 pounds) recorded 67 tackles, seven pass deflections and an interception for his short Aggies career. While the hope was for a potential return, new head coach Mike Elko has already done a fantastic job acquiring veteran safety talent through the portal since taking over in late Nov.

As a high-four-star prospect within former head coach Jimbo Fisher’s legendary 2022 recruiting class, Mathews began to ascend the depth chart during his 2023 sophomore season, receiving most of the starting snaps at free safety after Jardin Gilbert’s injury. However, once the safety depth chart expanded this offseason, nothing was guaranteed in 2024.

According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Mathews is now a favorite land, with either Florida State or Oregon, and both programs need starting-level safety production next season.

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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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