Texas A&M ranked Top 3 in CFB analyst’s SEC D-coordinator rankings

Going back to his four seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, Mike Elko outright earned his head coaching opportunity with the Aggies, especially after two seasons leading the Duke Blue Devils to back-to-back bowl game appearances.

In Year 2, Texas A&M made it to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, and while the offense, led by starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s career season, deserves a bulk of the credit, the Aggie defense was equally impactful. While former defensive coordinator Jay Bateman was the majority play caller during the 2024 campaign, Mike Elko officially took the playcalling reins last fall.

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After Jay Bateman departed for Kentucky to take over as the Wildcats defensive coordinator and playcaller, Elko elevated Lyle Hemphill as the program’s new D-coordinator, a role he served during his one season with James Madison, while serving as the safeties coach under Elko at Duke.

On Wednesday, Athlon’s Steven Lassan released SEC defensive coordinator rankings, and to no surprise, only Oklahoma coach Brent Venables and co-defensive coordinator Todd Bates were ranked higher, as Elko and Bateman came in at No. 2.

Texas A&M’s 2025 defense finished 18th overall, first in 3rd down defense, 16th in passing yards allowed, and 40th in rushing defense, while led by Cashius Howell‘s SEC-leading 11.5 sacks, recorded 43 sacks, good for second nationally. While the Aggies lost Howell and several key defenders to the NFL this offseason, more than half of the 17 transfer portal additions will either start or rotate for Elko’s 2026 defense.

The combination of Elko’s playcalling, elite 3rd down defense, and Lyle Hemphill’s development background in the secondary should result in the Aggies’ at the very least matching last season’s success, as transfer edge Anto Saka, former Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson, and nose tackle CJ Mims all look like instant impact players this fall.