Texas A&M HC Mike Elko believes he'll produce double-digit 2026 NFL draft picks
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko believes he'll produce double-digit 2026 NFL draft picks
When examining how succesful a college football program has been under any head coach, the amount of NFL draft picks the following season is a solid indicator, noting development of talent at every position. During the 2025 NFL draft, Ohio State (14), Georgia (13), Texas (12) and Oregon (10) all produced double-digit draft selections, while Texas A&M's three picks were all in the first two rounds.
However, this was only due to the youth of the 2024 Texas A&M roster, while left tackle Trey Zuhn, right guard Ar'Maj Reed-Adams, and cornerback Will Lee III all opted to return for the 2025 season. Also, if senior running back Le'Veon Moss had not been injured against South Carolina, missing the rest of the year, he likely would have declared this offseason.
During Wednesday's Brazos Country Coach's Night, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko discussed a variety of topics, included his expectations regarding the amount of players on the 2025 roster who he believes will be selected in the 2026 NFL draft.
"When you look at the current roster, we project to have more NFL Draft picks on this 2025 roster than we've had in a long time. We project anywhere from 10 to 12 players to hear their name called in the 2026 draft."
Including all the names I mentioned above, former NC State wide receiver KC Concepcion is another name that could hear his name called, while several new edge rushers, led by Cashius Howell, could end up being first, second, or third round selections.
If this is the case, that means Texas A&M would be coming off its best finish during the Mike Elko era, marking the start of what is hopefully a very successful tenure.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson aim to end Bears HC/QB turnover trend
The Chicago Bears have a long line of failed quarterbacks, and most recently, failed head coaches to boot. But Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson are determined to end that trend. During an appearance at Fanatics Fest, Williams discussed his relationship with his new head coach and how they're aiming to turn it into a bond that lasts for the foreseeable future. He also discussed the pair's goal to end that head coach-quarterback turnover trend that's plagued Chicago for decades. "I know Bears fans, it's year after year coaches and quarterbacks, specifically, are in-and-out," Williams said, via Ryan Garcia. "Our goal is to be here for a while." Johnson is one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds, and he turned the Detroit Lions offense into a top unit in the league while reviving Jared Goff's career. Now, Johnson gets a chance to work with a young quarterback in Williams, who he praised before even taking the job. If there's anyone who can maximize Williams' potential, it's Johnson. For as long as the Bears have been searching for coaching stability (since the Lovie Smith era), they've been looking even longer for a true franchise quarterback who can lead this team to a Super Bowl championship. And the pairing of Williams and Johnson has the potential to be a legendary one in Chicago. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
4 Broncos players, 1 coach make ESPN's All Quarter Century team
ESPN recently compiled a list of players to headline their NFL All Quarter Century team. The list, which detailed the best NFL players since 2000, featured the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Priest Holmes (yes, he's ranked over Adrian Peterson and Ladainian Tomlinson, in which the former is on their practice squad.) Nevertheless, the good news is four Denver Broncos players and a former coach made the Quarter Century Team. Of course, Peyton Manning, Champ Bailey and DeMarcus Ware would come to mind. But Brian Dawkins, who spent a majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, also spent three seasons with the Broncos for the latter part of his career and still notched two Pro Bowls (2009, 2011) and an All-Pro nod (2009). Lastly, Wade Phillips, the architect of the 'No Fly Zone' defense of the 2015 Super Bowl champions, was named as the defensive coordinator for the team. Phillips had stints as a head coach, but his time as a DC with the Broncos will have him immortalized, just like with this list. Check out the complete list here. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former Washington minority owner Fred Smith dies at 80
Fred Smith, a towering figure in American business, has died. He was 80. While in most contexts he will be remembered first and foremost as the founder of FedEx, Smith had a significant impact on the NFL. Advertisement He was the father of former Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Fred Smith also was a long-time minority owner of the Washington Commanders, and FedEx for many years held the naming rights to the stadium where the team plays. Beyond his company expressly requesting that the team abandon its former nickname in July 2020, Smith's efforts to extricate himself from the team placed significant pressure on former principal owner Daniel Snyder. Along with Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar, Smith worked to find a way out of their partnership with Snyder, culminating in Snyder buying their stakes in the franchise in early 2021. The unrest sparked by Smith and the other minority partners contributed to the focus on the business activities of the franchise as led by Snyder. There is an unmistakable link between the Smith/Rothman/Schar situation and the ultimate ouster of Snyder in 2023. Smith first acquired his interest in the team in 2003. He had attempted to secure an expansion franchise in Memphis in the 1990s, when the Panthers and Jaguars joined the NFL. With Elvis Presley's estate involved in the bid, the team would have been known as the Memphis Hound Dogs.
