Elko delivers positive injury report as Aggies prepare to start camp

Hope for a strong football season always accompanies the start of August camp.

But on the eve of the start of camp, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko shared good news that enhances aspirations.

Elko, at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, reported receiver Jabre Barber, a transfer portal addition from Troy, is expected to play this season.

Barber sustained a serious foot injury in spring drills that raised fears he’d miss the 2024 season.

However, Elko said Barber has made amazing progress and should be available this season.

“Jabre Barber is still recovering from his foot injury from spring, but we do anticipate him (playing),” Elko said. “He’s on a crash course getting back so he’s way ahead of schedule. He’ll be kind of touch-and-go for the start of the season, but he’ll be back a lot sooner than we maybe originally anticipated. Outside of that we’re a healthy group and excited to get going this fall.”

Barber had 75 catches for 999 yards and five touchdowns for Troy last season. He proved to be a big-play threat with nine receptions that covered 30 yards or more.

He’d shown signs of potentially developing into the Aggies’ No. 1 receiver before the injury occurred in mid-April.

That threatened A&M’s depth, too. The Aggies need to replace last year’s leading receiver Ainias Smith, who was a fifth-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL draft.

A&M also lost Evan Stewart, who transferred to Oregon.

That left A&M with no returning receivers who had more than 35 catches in 2023.

The update on Barber was not the only good news involving receivers.

Elko indicated that 6-foot-6, 200-pound junior Noah Thomas made strong progress in the weight room after recovering from a sports hernia.

Last season Thomas had 29 catches for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Elko seemed to suggest Thomas could have a “breakout” year.

“From a big picture standpoint he committed to the weight room from January until today,” Elko said. “I think that commitment ultimately helps when it comes to injury prevention. We talk a lot in the building about being a pro and taking care of your body — not like a college kid — but like a professional athlete.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Making eight starts in 11 appearances last season, Noah Thomas led the Aggies in receiving touchdowns (5) while averaging 12.4 yards per catch.

“In terms of his ceiling, he’s a 6-4 kid who catches the ball with a huge catch radius. Who’s athletic, gets separation and can make big plays.

“What he needed to do was get a little bit stronger so he had stronger play strength, so that he could play through press (coverage), play through the catch point, play physical down the field. I think he’s done all that. I think there’s a huge upside for him this year. Hopefully, it comes to fruition.”

Thomas seemed encouraged.

“I’m good now,” he said. “I feel great. I’m back to my speeds. I’m back to my strengths. I feel better than ever.”

Elko also said junior defensive end Enai White is still recovering from injury, but is expected back for the Aug. 31 season-opener against Notre Dame.

“Enai White is still banged up … recovering from knee surgery,” Elko said, “(He) Won’t be ready to go right away, but we expect to have him by the opener.”

The first-year A&M head coach indicated everyone else is ready when the Aggies have their first practice Wednesday at 7 p.m.

“It feels like in some ways I got here two days ago, and in some ways I got here like five years ago,” Elko said. “But we’re here. We’re at the start of fall camp. It’s an exciting time, obviously.

"Everyone is really excited to take all the work we put in this summer, all the things we believe we’ve improved on and now go out on the grass and see if they’re reality.”

NOTES

• Elko reiterated sophomore offensive lineman Chase Bisontis will move inside guard. Last season, he made 12 starts at right tackle en route to earning SEC All-Freshman acclaim and Freshman All-American honors.
• An intense three-man competition between Mark Nabou, Koli Faaui and Kam Dewberry is anticipated for the starting job at center. Nabou made 11 starts at left guard and one at center last season. Koli Faaui is a transfer from Utah where he started eight games at center last season. Dewberry made three starts at guard in 2023.
• Sophomore tight end Donovan Green missed all of last season with a torn ACL. Elko said Green is still being brought along slowly. “It’s going to take time for him. When you talk about coming back from an ACL … that’s not easy. It’s not one of those injuries like it’s a sprained ankle, it’s healed and so you're fine. He’s still working his way back to being able to plant, cut and move the way he wants to.”