Everything Mike Elko had to say at the weekly Texas A&M football spring practice presser

[ASFN Admin]

It's a busy week for Texas A&M football. While working the 2025 spring transfer portal, they are also preparing for the annual spring football game on Saturday.

Coach Mike Elko agrees that paying players (NIL) and the importance of the transfer portal in modern college football. He also acknowledges the challenges these systems present when assembling a competitive roster for the fall season. The transfer portal, while offering opportunities to fill key roles in cases of injury, can also leave teams vulnerable when depth players depart after months of offseason preparation.

Despite these hurdles, the Texas A&M Aggies remain committed to navigating the dynamic landscape of college football within the established regulations. Coach Elko has expressed satisfaction with the team's progress during spring practices, emphasizing player development and retention as critical components of success. As the Aggies gear up for their spring game on Saturday, Elko is eager to showcase the team's growth in a game-like setting, energizing the Aggie faithful and building momentum for the upcoming season.

Coach Elko spoke to the media during his weekly press conference ahead of the 2025 spring football game.

Coach Elko speaks on the spring transfer portal window​

"The biggest thing is adding value. Adding to add is never a good sign."

"I don't think we'll add to add, but in this day and age, you have to constantly be on the look and on the move for value that can improve your program."

While it's difficult to manage coach Elko knows no one will feel sorry for them​

"Nobody wants to hear us complain. Nobody wants to hear us whine about what's going on. We get paid a lot of money to manage this stuff."

"I don't think it makes sense to have these portal windows now and stuff. It's probably pulling back on the quality of the game a little bit, but it is what it is."

Coach Elko is pleased with the progress, but he always sees room for improvement​

"There is yet to be a play where all 22 guys have done it completely right, so on every single play, I'm pissed off about something not being exactly as it should be."

"During the spring, you're just trying to drive it... By and large, our program has taken a step forward."

Mike Elko comments on the Nico Iamaleava situation​

"You should ask Marcel (Reed) if I had any words on how I would handle a similar situation between him and I."

"We're all on the same page across the board. Everybody agrees that the players deserve freedom. Everybody agrees that the current system is not working."

With the House settlement being postponed NIL rules are still murky​

"Until there becomes some clarity on where this thing is going, we're going to live in this world. That clarity is not coming with the House settlement. That clarity isn't coming for at least another year, it sounds like."

Coach Elko is excited for his player to get a chance to compete in a game setting​

"If I were a player and I went through 13 practices, it would be really cool to go out there in front of fans and play a game."

"That's the reward we give to players... This is for them to be the cherry on top of spring ball to go out, have fun and compete with each other."

Marcel Reed's development will be key to the success of the team​

"The challenge for Marcel (Reed) is he wants to take the next step as a passer, and we want him to take that next step to get where we want to go and what we want to be."

"He's getting more and more comfortable throwing the ball. He had a really good scrimmage the other day throwing the ball."

Coach Elko discusses whether the defense will look different than last year​

"If there is anything that's different, that will stay in the office. What happens Saturday will be very similar to what everybody saw last year."

Coach Elko believes his team has made great progress and hopes that shows up on the field during the spring game​

"We've taken really big steps on both sides of the ball in terms of playing clean football, and that's what I hope you see on Saturday."

When asked about the spring transfer portal coach Elko had this to say​

"It certainly seems like the free agency model that the professional organizations use works really well for them."

"We seem to be the only group that doesn't work like that. We start free agency in the middle of the season, put the roster together and then have another opportunity for free agency later in the year."

The fans will be able to catch a glimpse of the team after being able to get a full off-season when they step on the field on April 19 for the spring game.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Mike Elko said ahead of Texas A&M football’s spring game

Continue reading...