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Aggies HC Mike Elko speaks ahead of Texas A&M's first fall practice

We've made it! Texas A&M's first fall camp is set for Wednesday, July 31. The Aggies will take the field for the first time since the spring football season under new head coach Mike Elko. The former Duke HC has a highly experienced and talented roster led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman.

With plenty of offseason stories to choose from, the hiring of offensive coordinator Collin Klein, coupled with former LSU strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt, will likely deserve the most credit for what the Aggies could achieve this season. Several starters on both sides of the ball have gotten bigger, stronger, and faster this offseason under Moffitt's guidance.

While Klein's effect will be seen on the field, Elko and the select players who spoke on Tuesday praised his scheme that should produce a higher-scoring offense after years of inconsistency under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. Ahead of a busy August practice schedule, here is what Mike Elko had to say in his first fall press availability.

Mike Elko's opening statement

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

"It's here. Finally. It feels like, in some ways, I got here two days ago and, in some ways, five years ago." "Everyone is really excited to take the work we've done this summer on the things we've perceived that we've improved on and get out on the grass to make it a reality."

Elko on the wide receiver battles this fall

Dec 27, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Moose Muhammad III (7) runs with the ball after a reception during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Moose Muhammad III (7) runs with the ball after a reception during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"quite a few wide open position battles" entering fall camp.

Elko reveals that sophomore OL Chase Bisontis will start at guard

Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Earnest Crownover (24) and offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) celebrate after Crownover scores a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Earnest Crownover (24) and offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) celebrate after Crownover scores a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"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 on A\u0026amp;M's impressive defensive line

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Jordon Vaughn #26 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats is tackled for a loss by Shemar Turner #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Kyle Field on November 18, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Jordon Vaughn #26 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats is tackled for a loss by Shemar Turner #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Kyle Field on November 18, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

"We're very strong on the defensive line. I think that's well-documented."

Elko on A\u0026amp;M's relatively deep wide receiver rotation

Sep 1, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Cyrus Allen (85) runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Cyrus Allen (85) runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

"Feel better standing here at the podium today than I did going into the summer. Each of those kids has taken a step." "Noah (Thomas) has had a really good summer. Moose (Muhammad) had a really good summer. Cyrus (Allen) and Jabre (Barber) had a really good summer."

Elko on how the WR rotation has improved so far

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Noah Thomas #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies catches a pass in the second quarter against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Kyle Field on November 18, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Noah Thomas #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies catches a pass in the second quarter against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Kyle Field on November 18, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

"Without adding players, the things that needed to happen have happened."

Elko on A\u0026amp;M's offensive line battles

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Mark Nabou Jr. (54) in action during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Mark Nabou Jr. (54) in action during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

"You have a battle at center between probably three guys. The guys that lose that battle could flip out to guard or flip out to right tackle."

Elko on utilizing a heavy rotation accross the offensive line

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) in action during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) in action during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

"There are a lot of ways that we have to look at this to make sure that we have the best five on the field and have a flexibility that does not lock us into only playing five." "One of the things that could give us an advantage is playing seven or eight guys."

Is the offensive line a strength?

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) in action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) in action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"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."

Elko on the offenses improvement this summer

Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Amari Daniels (4) runs against South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Amari Daniels (4) runs against South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

"On the back half of the summer, you saw some noticeable comfort increases in the offense."

Elko on QB Conner Weigman's imrovement this summer

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to throw the ball during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to throw the ball during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

"A good one. ... When you talk about where he was in the spring, learning a brand new system, coming back from injury and not being anywhere near 100 percent." "To now be healthy and play and function the way you want to. ... It has been a cool summer for him to see it all come together."

Elko on the progress made from TE Donovan Green

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies tight end Donovan Green (18) catches a pass for a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies tight end Donovan Green (18) catches a pass for a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"It's going to take time for him. Coming back from an ACL, that's not easy."

"He's still working his way back to being able to plant, cut and move the way he wants to. … I have a lot of confidence in him."

Elko on the roster limitations he'll deal with

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

"It's interesting. There is still so much uncertainty on that, even the 105 number is not finalized yet."

"It's hard to come up with a plan or a thought of what it will look like until we get an answer on the parameters and rules will be."

Elko on establishing a \u0022winning formula\u0022 this offseason

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

"What we're trying to do in camp is establish what we believe winning football looks like."

"We have formulas for what winning football looks like in practice, and that's what we're trying to hit day in and day out in camp."

Elko on A\u0026amp;M's first practice on Wednesday

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

"When we go out tomorrow night, we expect that we are operating at full speed, are ready to roll with no build-up."

Mike Elko on WR Noah Thomas's progress this summer

Texas A&M wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) reacts on the field during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
Texas A&M wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) reacts on the field during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

"He committed to the weight room from January to today. That commitment ultimately helps."

"In terms of his ceiling, he's a 6-4 kid who catches the ball with a huge catch radius. ... What he needed to do was get a little stronger to have better play-strength."

Elko on the defensive secondary's improvement after adding more depth

Nov 11, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Will Lee III (8) celebrates a stop during the fourth quarter against the Baylor Bears at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Will Lee III (8) celebrates a stop during the fourth quarter against the Baylor Bears at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

"We have more versatility and pieces in the secondary room than we did at any point in the last six years. When you have that, you feel like you have enough to put it together to be effective."

Elko on new S\u0026amp;C coach Tommy Moffitt's impact

LSU strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt speaks with the media during Monday's LSU Coaches Caravan stop in Shreveport.

Img 4806
LSU strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt speaks with the media during Monday's LSU Coaches Caravan stop in Shreveport. Img 4806

"It has been well documented that Coach (Tommy) Moffitt has had a change in that. From a cultural standpoint, the way we look at strength and conditioning is different."

"We embraced it. I don't think we had a single kid miss a lift this summer. That's good."

More on Moffitt's impact

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York (21) tackles Auburn Tigers running back Brian Battie (21) during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York (21) tackles Auburn Tigers running back Brian Battie (21) during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

"When you go out and see these guys in fall camp, I think a lot of their bodies look a little different, and they handled the last eight months the way you would have expected them to."

Elko on the running back room depth

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Rueben Owens #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies breaks a tackle by Colby Warkentin #99 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the second quarter at Kyle Field on November 18, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Rueben Owens #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies breaks a tackle by Colby Warkentin #99 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the second quarter at Kyle Field on November 18, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

"Rueben Owens and Le'Veon Moss have had great summers. Amari Daniels looks a lot different. EJ Smith is now primed."

"You have a lot of pieces back there that could be very successful."

Elko on OC Collin Klein's impact on the offense so far

(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

"He's going to bring that excitement to our offense that a lot of Aggies have been looking for."

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Aggies HC Mike Elko speaks ahead of Texas A&M's first fall practice