Press Conference: Elko, Aggies open fall camp on Wednesday

The following are live, paraphrased notes from the Tuesday afternoon media availability:

Mike Elko

• Now, we are getting closer to the start. Excited to get report day underway today. Finally get an opportunity to get back on the grass tomorrow night. We have to go figure out who we are and what we are about.
   
• I thought it was symbolic of where we are right now. We changed the roster rules before we reported, but didn't really change them. It was indicative of where we are.
   
• I don’t think anyone will miss camp. Daymion Sanford has limitations, but it's nothing to write about. We will see how camp goes. He is on course to be back for the opener.
   
• You don’t have 30-year-old veterans you can hand jobs to. You still strive for competition. I don’t know who some of the starters are. There is a lot of competition across the board, and that elevates everyone in your program.
   
• I have so much confidence in Adam Cushing. There is a comfortably in his coaching demeanor and the mentality our OL plays with. I believe he is one of the best OL coaches in the country.
   
• Mark Nabou Jr. is old, but hasn't played a lot coming off last year. He learned a lot about playing 12 football games, mentally and physically. We have gotten a good version of Mark, and having an established center goes a long way.
   
• It’s going into the season with an SEC-level secondary. The pieces we have back there, you feel good about rotating and holding up for 12 games. It's going to be a war of attrition.
   
• We looked at how we are teaching and coaching the defense. As we stand here today, I think we did it the right way. You can’t evaluate that now.
   
• Easier has not been the word that's defined this offseason. This program has had a hard time doubling down on success. This will be the most challenging season we have had. All of that creates a challenge. It’s easier with a third-year program. This is a big, challenging season for us.
   
• We feel like we have addressed the kicking game. We are really excited with where we are with David Olano and Asher Murray. Happy with Tyler White’s development.
   
• What you do in the summer is critical. The strength coach is as crucial a postion of what you have. That entire team in that weight room... They were resolvable in a lot of ways for them. You will be impressed when you come and see them at practice. We are happy we have Tommy Moffitt on our side.
   
• Backup quarterback will be Brady Hart going into camp as the #2 Helaman Casuga and Eli Morcos will try to uproot him. Mario Craver, Terry Bussey and Isaiah Horton will be involved in punt return.
   
• We have more depth and talent at WR than any time I’ve been here. Getting comfortable with the timing and the rhythm. There is a lot of room for growth. So much of the passing game is milliseconds and timing. Those details are what Horton has honed in on.