The 2025 Texas A&M football team is on the field for spring ball, and there is a lot of excitement leading into year two under head coach Mike Elko.
The Texas A&M Aggies experienced a challenging end to the 2024 football season, facing injuries and defensive struggles that led to a three-game losing streak. Despite this setback, their 8-2 start showcased the team’s potential when fully healthy and unified under Coach Mike Elko’s leadership.
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Coach Mike Elko expressed clear frustration over the Texas A&M Aggies’ struggles at the end of the 2024 football season, citing issues with the defense and offense. The defense faced challenges in pass coverage, while injuries significantly impacted the offense’s ability to execute in short-yardage situations. These setbacks contributed to a disappointing finish after a strong 8-2 start.
To address these concerns, defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and offensive coordinator Collin Klein are tasked with implementing improvements and preparing the team for a competitive season. During the spring press conference, both coordinators highlighted key areas for growth as they worked to ensure the Aggies maintained consistency and performed at a high level throughout the fall.
Jay Bateman addresses Elko’s comments at the end of the 2024 season
“I took it as everybody needed to be better. Coaches included. The linebackers were a part of that also. When we got here, we were patching it together a little bit. It was a lot of moving parts. … I feel really good about our depth right now.”
The defensive back room is deeper and more experienced
“There is more depth. There are more guys that can play.”
Bateman on what new staff member Lyle Hemphill adds to the team
“Lyle is really knowledgable in Mike’s system and how Mike wants to do things. … It’s one more voice in the room. It has been a big help.”
The defense will look a little different this season
“We’ve definitely made some pretty serious schematic adjustments. … The conference, like the NFL, changes all of the time. I feel really, really good about where we are right now schematically.”
“We’ve worked at it, and I feel like we’ve come up with a good plan moving forward.”
Bateman talks about some of the big run plays given up and how to get better
“Any time you have an explosive run, you can break it down to a mistake or a fundamental error. … When you play linebacker, your job is to make things right. You’re the second level of the defense for a reason.”
Mike Elko has a more watchful eye on the defense this spring
“He is more well-aware of what we’re doing and has a little bit more of a say in what we’re doing. It has been great.”
Experience has helped the defense pick up the system faster
“The ability of our older kids to fix mistakes, help our younger kids… Everything is more advanced.”
“I think it has allowed us to do more schematically and add more to it. The first year is always the hardest year, especially nowadays with how the rosters are compiled.”
Collin Klein believes adjustments with Reed as the No. 1 QB will make the offense better
“Every year, it’s going to adapt and take its own identity based on the pieces. … That’s definitely the case moving forward with Marcel (Reed).”
“Across the board, I think we’re going to have a better platform under him in a lot of areas to be able to do what we want to do.”
Collin Klein on the team’s mentality this spring
“The biggest part of our mentality right now is truly getting better. I’ve been very pleased through the first part of spring with our practice mentality. We’re a much more mature team with how we attack the practice field.”
“That’s going to pay big, big dividends as we stack these days on top of each other.”
Collin Klein names to wide receivers who are bringing more speed to the offense this season
“Starting on the edge, Mario Craver from a speed component has already visibly been different for us.”
“(Along with Ashton Bethel-Roman) Both of those guys bring a home-run, speed component for us that’s special.”
Collin Klein praises former Alabama/Texas tight end Amari Niblack
“Amari Niblack has been outstanding and really provides a lot of versatility from a pass-catching standpoint and a moving standpoint.”
Collin Klein on the advantage of having more players on the roster compared to last season
This year, we have more early enrollees than I’ve ever experienced, which is awesome.”
“We’re fortunate offensively that we’ve got some core components that are trying to bring those guys along… There are challenges to it, but I’ve been really pleased with how fast they’ve picked things up.”
Collin Klein on Texas A&M’s expanded tight end room
“I think we’re definitely going to be deeper, more established at that position than we were a year ago. Excited to see what those guys can do.”
“Very, very excited about some of those two-tight end sets.”
Collin Klein on the offense needing to finish at a higher rate down the stretch
“We’ve got to finish better. We’ve got to lock in to be able to perform in those critical situations. Every inch matters.”
“It’s a mentality standpoint, starting with us as a staff and moving all the way down. We’ve got to execute better and finish the deal better.”
Collin Klein on Texas A&M’s talented QB room
“I’m so proud of our room. Every one of those guys does an incredible job. Jacob (Zeno) has seen a lot of football, and he’s a great teammate.”
“Brady Hart, I’m really excited about him. … Miles O’Neill has made tremendous strides from last year.”
Collin Klein on Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens’ road back to his five-star form
“He’s a lot closer. There are flashes of what I know he can be and what he knows he can be. He’s still battling a little bit. I’m not worried about him at all. I expect him to be a big difference-maker.”
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Jay Bateman and Collin Klein speak during Texas A&M’s spring presser
