Mike Elko met with the media following Texas A&M's 50-point win over Missouri State yesterday evening, and though he was his normal measured self in many ways, there was also a noticeable excitement about him when he answered one question in particular— and it's exactly what Texas A&M fans have been hoping to see since he got to campus.
The performance of the defense may have taken center stage in this one for many reasons— a shutout where you only allow 67 yards to an opponent is an elite performance, after all— but Elko's greatest point of pride was in the quality of the young players who got their chance to get out on Kyle Field and make things happen.
Mike Elko: "There were so many young, talented players out there. I could have stayed out there for another two quarters watching those guys play."
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 6, 2026
Elko shouted out several players in particular: Brandon Arrington, Tamarion Watkins, Tristian Givens, and Samu Moala all made some plays in the game, but it wasn't just them. KJ Edwards and Carsyn Baker, who Elko mentioned in a different answer, are going to get significant snaps this fall with what they just put on tape.
Mike Elko sees Texas A&M's championship future taking shape in game one of the season
Edwards and Baker were two players that really set themselves apart in a big way in this one, of course. They leapt off the screen with their burst and hard running— Edwards looked absolutely electric and Baker's bruising style was really eye-catching.
Watkins is learning an entirely new position, but he's a guy that insiders have raved about— and fans could see why even in limited action last night. He triggered and blew up an offensive play with ease from the linebacker spot, despite his background being as a safety— his physicality was evident.
Givens and Moala both took their turn taking down run plays from the Bears, showcasing their very own burst and physicality on the defensive side of the ball. Arrington, like all Aggie corners in tonight's game, was lockdown when he was on the field, showing what the future of the Texas A&M defensive backfield will be built around.
Then, you have guys that Elko didn't even have time to name. Chance Collins played quite a number of snaps in this one, showing just how important he is to this team this year, and Aaron Gregory made some clutch plays as well, including his first touchdown catch— what a moment that was!
The Aggies have a team that can compete this year for the championship in their own right, but we saw with what they were able to do last night that the future is extremely bright. Combine that with the no. 1 class that the Aggies are bringing in for the upcoming cycle, and the Aggies could be a perennial championship contender sooner rather than later.
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