Texas A&M’s head coach, Mike Elko, took the podium on Thursday morning during the final day of SEC Media Days this week. The annual event featured all 16 head football coaches and player representatives to give fans a closer look at what to expect during the upcoming 2024 campaign.
The Aggies are coming off a disappointing 2023 season, which ended with the firing of former head coach Jimbo Fisher, whose $76 million buyout left a bad taste in the mouths of everyone involved, outside of the man who will never have to work another day in his life if he so chooses.
Ahead of his first season, Elko has inherited a talented and experienced roster on both sides of the ball, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, who is finally healthy after missing the final eight games of the 2023 season. However, For Weigman to thrive, he’ll need protection up front, starting with left tackle Trey Zuhn III.
Zuhn, alongside defensive tackle Shemar Turner and sophomore linebacker Taurean York, both coming off exceptional 2023 performances, joined Elko on Thursday as the player representatives, leaving the sunglasses at home, as Elko’s blue-collar, hardworking approach has already rubbed off on the roster.
Providing their own collective take on how the Aggies should look this coming season, here is what all three players had to say during the final day of SEC Media Days.
Trey Zuhn on his Aggie lineage
“I was born and raised an Aggie.”
“I am so excited about it. I have a Longhorn hanging in my room. It happens to be upside down.”
Faceless, nameless opponent approach is the right approach
“Our opponent is faceless. We are training each day to be our best selves.”
Zuhn on Shemar Turner’s development
“He is such a great player.”
“We go back and forth. It’s so much fun getting to play against him and getting better every day.”
Biggest difference between Mike Elko and Jimbo Fisher?
“stance on accountability.”
Things are changing for the better in College Station
“We are going to be the most disciplined program and toughest program. Get to work every day, bust our butts… It will show up on the field.”
The sky is truly the limit!
“The sky is the limit this season. We have had disappointing years in the past. That is fuel.”
“I can’t wait for this season. We will show people who we are.”
Taurean York on being invited to SEC Media Days
“It’s awesome to just have this experience. It’s a blessing as well, and I have to continue to put in the work.”
York on the Aggie’s defensive goals this season
“The amount of detail they have in the defense… I know it works because it’s very complex.”
York on the biggest lession he learned after his first season in the SEC
“The game is never over until it’s over.”
“We have to finish games. We lost a lot of one-possession games that we weren’t able to close out.”
York on being named team captain
“It means the world that my teammates think I am capable of leading them.”
York on playing Texas this season
“They weren’t a part of my recruiting process… It’s a special game for everybody in the state of Texas.”
“We’re excited, and we know Kyle Field will be rocking when that day comes.”
York on Texas A\u0026amp;M’s offensive line
“Ar’maj Reed-Adams lights a fire under all those guys. Chase (Bisontis) has come into his own. Mark (Nabou) has gotten a lot better.”
“It’s a testament to everyone involved in the offense. They have gotten much better this spring.”
York on the progress made by necomers Nic Scourton and Scooby Williams
![Florida Gators linebacker Scooby Williams (17) celebrates a stop during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ok929QH2DoqBD2DvOQnncQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aggies_wire_usa_today_articles_632/1767cde1362bab68f9300ba74db8c485)
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