Click here to view Texas A&M’s Tuesday press conference.
The world’s tallest ceiling is the Leeza SOHO Tower in China. It measures 637 feet high.
Of course, it would never have reached such amazing heights had it not been successfully constructed.
Texas A&M’s 2026 defense also figures to have a high ceiling. It just has to be successfully constructed.
That seems to be the message sent by Aggies coach Mike Elko, an architect of several lofty defenses throughout his prominent career.
“I think we have a chance to be really good if we have the ability to go out and focus and play with the level of urgency that we need to,” Elko said recently. “I think they have a very, very high ceiling.
“But they’ve got to go out and do it.”
“Doing it” for A&M means reaching a high ceiling by lowering yardage and points allowed.
Last season, A&M allowed an average of 307.4 yards. That ranked 18th in the nation. The Aggies allowed just 21 points per game, which was 36th.
They could be as good or better if fewer big plays are allowed in the running game, more turnovers are forced and the pass rush remains stout.
Safety and team captain Marcus Ratcliffe said the key to accomplishing those tasks comes down to a single word.
“I’d say execution,” Ratcliffe said on Tuesday. “That was a thing last year that sometimes bit us in the butt a little bit. So, just all of the players every single play getting the execution right.”
Those bites usually came on long run plays. The Aggies surrendered 21 runs that covered at least 20 yards and 12 of at least 30.
Sure, there were a few busted coverages, but the biggest problem was missed fits on long runs.
Therefore, execution is the top priority for Ratcliffe when the Aggies open the season on Saturday against Missouri State.
“Just all 11 players every single play getting the execution right,” he said.
Ratcliffe’s confidence in A&M’s defense seems to be as high as the Leeza SOHO Tower.
That’s predictable. Confidence always runs high before the season starts.
But his optimism is justified. Five starters return from last year’s defense, which held nine opponents to 25 points or less.
Also, Ratcliffe has been duly impressed by some likely new starters on the defensive unit.
“I really like Anto (Saka) when I watch the film,” he said of the defensive end transfer from Northwestern. “He completely wrecks plays. If you try to run the ball to his side, it’s just going to get completely wrecked. The point of attack is going to be blown up.”
Cornerback Julio Humphrey, who played sparingly a year ago, has gotten Ratcliffe’s attention, too.
“He plays the boundaries strong,” Ratcliffe said. “Just starting in January, I’ve seen him really put an intentional foot forward, like, ‘This is my year to achieve everything I want to achieve.’’’
If he does, well, that may help A&M reach some achievements that were just out of reach a year ago.
Last season, the Aggies were 11-2 and fell in the College Football Playoff to national runner-up Miami, 10-3.
Perhaps the Aggies can achieve more this season.
“Last year, we were so close to everything we wanted,” Ratcliffe said. "Close to the SEC Championship. So close to the national championship.
“This group of guys, we can go achieve that if we just do the little things and get the execution right.”
Which, of course, would mean reaching their high ceiling.
