Press Conference: Elko's No. 8 Ags open 2026 vs. Missouri State

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

Mike Elko

• Really excited for the R.C. Slocum statue reveal Friday at 2 p.m. The winningest head coach in Texas A&M history with six SWC championships. He exemplifies what being an elite coach here is all about.
   
• Congrats to the 32 guys who made NFL rosters yesterday. 
   
• Missouri St made the jump to Conference USA. They were a bowl team. This is a program on the rise. Their head coach was a hot name on the OC market.
   
• We have talked a lot about personnel. You are watching film from everywhere. It will be about ourselves and playing the best football.
   
• I function in quarters. That's how football makes sense to me. You have the first three games, the middle stretch, and the end of the season as the final stretch.
   
• We are getting closer to knowing what that guard group will like. It's been a competitive battle. It's been good to see guys in our program elevate. We are getting closer to the starting group, but we are still searching for the best five in a live game setting.
   
• Last year, when we had returning starters, we knew we were going to rotate guys in. It’s better for morale, development, and lasting 12 games. You have to make sure the level doesn't drop.
   
• Will Daymion Sanford play? Right now, yes. It's still a bit of a game-time decision. But if you ask me right now, yes.
   
• David Olano is a really good kicker. He was hurt in the spring. Asher Murray did a nice job and created opportunities. They went back and forth. It was tight because both guys were phenomenal.
   
• We want to see where we are. I don't know if you have things you look for. I know we're good enough to compete. I don’t “need to see this or else we're in trouble.”
   
• You run into it. We don't sidestep it. We had all three of our Saturday scrimmages in the heat. We are smart with load management. You can't hide from it.
   
• Missouri State has a really talented QB who came from UTEP that can hurt you with his arms and legs. He came with the OC. They have a slot receiver who is talented. Tall, athletic TE who is a matchup issue. It’s a lot of transfers.
   
• There is a comfortable level, for sure, when you have played with the guy next to you. We have had to learn how to adapt OLs to play together without that experience.
   
• At the end of the day, Marcel Reed has to be consistent. He’s worked very hard. He has a great command of the offense. But we haven't played a game yet.
   
• Julio Humphrey has a tremendous work ethic. He has been consistent. He has confidence playing the ball. The thing he struggled with at times last year was the final decision on the ball. He got angry. He hasn't missed a practice since last season ended. 
   
• The LBs made a big jump. Some of that was naturally expected because you have new guys, but the overall development of the group sticks out. Ray Coney has had a strong summer and camp. Noah Mikhail has taken a jump. We are happy with Jordan Lockhart. Tamarion Watkins has evolved.
   
• Slocum is a legend. As a DC, that’s a guy you looked up to and watched. A ton of respect and admiration for who he is. Wanted to make sure he knows this is his home, and he is always welcome here.
   
• I don't envision massive changes as we talk about the new calendars. I like when spring ball is.
   
• We want our program to be a gritty team and have mental toughness. We want to be an extremely physical football team on both sides of the ball. This team has shown the ability to do that, but we have to go out and do it on Saturdays.