Feels like this year, it's guys being told to go elsewhere because the staff knows they're gonna bring people in to replace them and improve the roster.
@ I’ll give them another year. What this program needs is more stability, not less. The last thing Marcel and co need is to learn a third fucking playbook in as many years.
Of all the portal entries, the only ones that were either unexpected or painful (or both) are Shanahan and Dewberry. However, I'm not completely surprised they left since neither was going to beat out Chase Bisontis or Mark Nabou for starting jobs (Nabou was our starting center until very early in the Notre Dame game). The portal is still open until December 28th, so we have another two and a half weeks of this.
I think Coach has bug plans for us. We gonna be bigger, faster and stronger. I do wish we keep guys and develop but think we gonna get some big explosion players
Dude, our DB’s were getting TORCHED all year long. We are 82nd this year is passing yards allowed…. Let that sink in, WE ARE 82ND IN PASSING YARDS ALLOWED. That’s horrible. Our DB’s (CB/S) were out of assignment and getting absolutely burnt all year long. Can’t turn around and play the ball, can’t stay in assignment, have no clue what cover 3 even means or what to do… idk, I was HIGHLY unimpressed with our secondary. I get that if you don’t get a pass rush, then it makes it easier for a QB to pick apart a secondary, but I’m making no excuses for these guys. We need some ACTUAL dudes that play the ball. Not guys that we send on blitzes only to get burnt on the back end of EVERY big pass (Dalton Brooks).
Lastly even the top programs lose players. It is what it is. Another key to A&M climbing is finding play makers ESPECIALLY at QB. The generation we’re working with is simply not geared for loyalty, accurate self reflection w/ improvement and patience.
After the complete failure of that “#1” class and a coaching change it would be delusional to think we aren’t in a rebuild. We’re going to throw tons of money at the problem until after year three we will have another coaching change.
That class is basically gone. Only a handful of guys remain. How much money was spent on that class and on that coach? Seriously could have built a new building on campus for that!
@dr.markevers8331 i agree with Tom Brady when he said there used to be programs and now there are playbooks. There can't be free agency without contracts.
Marcel looked unstoppable against LSU, but they were prepared and focused for Connor. This season as a starter it felt like teams were able to shut him down in the 2nd half. He never had a complete game and his record down the stretch was terrible. So, what do you feel like Marcel needs to focus on this off-season to become more of a complete QB next season?
I think he had a fine 2nd half against Auburn. Florida was more of a game plan thing than his performance….I’d argue the struggles down the stretch were more from losing Moss and disappointing OL play than Reed not meeting reasonable expectations
He needs to work on seeing the whole field. He left touchdowns all over the field against Auburn and South Carolina because he just threw it to the check down when a receiver was open down field
He needs to learn to go through his progressions/reads. Seen him totally lock in on one guy from the snap and miss seeing the wide open receiver for an easy completion. He needs consistency and touch on his long ball so he's not overthrowing the receivers down the field. A couple of his INT's were because the defender knew he would overthrow and was there to grab it.
All these "year 1" or "year 2" or year whatever is an example of living the in the past. Its not 2004. No one is building towards anything. You win or you don't year to year. Next year? Manage expectations because with our schedule, this team is going to be fighting to make a bowl game. I hope the guys we bring in are two year guys, because the 2026-27 season is going be a different world: maybe a 16 team playoff with new schedule.
Few know exactly how these contracts are structured. It’s assumed by most that players currently receiving NIL $’s and having eligibility remaining will stay on the payroll, like scholarships provided. There’s an enforcement element that is missing.
While I like Reed, consistent QB play is my chief concern. Can that be addressed with an improved/healthy run gm., better/faster WR’s, TE’s who are multi dimensional blocking & catching… IDK, only Elko and the staff can answer that.
That may well be, I’m certainly hoping he improves. My point is QB play will need to be more consistent for us join the Blue Bloods of CF, that might come via Improved OL, WRs, &/or TEs.
I hate what CF now is. But as you indicate this is the landscape. Reality we must improve to be where we want to be. Elko knows it, the players know it. Maintaining depth is the primary concern. While there’s no one answer, the best is for us to become a yr in yr out top 10 program.
Most of the guys leaving were expected, but definitely a few that I’m a lil surprised about But honestly, am I the only one who’s kind of ready for some of these JIMBO guys to leave? I also see we have a ton of guys that I like visiting this week 🤞 Sucks to see guys leave, but exciting to see new ones join!
Everyone realize these are not Elko's recruits and they didnt see the field on a regular bases. Instead of fighting for your position, it's portal time. NOW our DB's are "TRASH" they couldn't cover someone with a blanket. O-line and receivers are a must. We need receivers that can take the top of defenses.
So we're really going to use the "not his recruits" excuse? TJ Shanahan was a member of the 2024 class. Cyrus Allen and Josh Celiscar were portal signees AFTER Elko was hired.
I see we're playing USC in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 27. I think I'll pass on this one. Why torture myself watching our secondary get torched by a Lincoln Riley offense? Especially with the probable opt outs.
I would like to know how other top 15 to 25 teams fared on the first day of the portal. How many players did they lose. How does 17 compare with that. Because that is really what we’re chasing. And that is what the portal represents, chasing talent., musical chairs. But I thought you did a great job. I am not as happy with our running back room as you are, however. But that’s just my take. I’ve just say we are not near as deep in that room as teams like Texas or Georgia. We’re just not.
Moss was arguably the best back in the SEC this year. A legit 3 man rotation is all you can really ask for in a rb room. Owens might hold the upside to the room.
I agree, that is probably where we are. But it is not where we want to be. For example Texas lost their top two running backs this year and look what number 26 was able to do against us. We definitely do not have a running back stable like that. And so far Ruben has been a lot more hype than production.
@miller.upton08 I am not down on Ruben. He was very adequate as a freshman, but he was hardly the phenom he was in high school and he is coming back from a serious injury which is always a gamble. We are discussing the general strength of our running back room compared to the teams we want to be competitive against. And now Leveon will be coming back from injury. I’m just not as comfortable with the depth of our offensive line or our running back stable as Drew seems to be. But I don’t know how well either of those can be addressed in the transfer portal. I shared I thought Drew did a great job, but he asked for feedback and I am giving it. I’m not trying to pick a fight or put anyone on the defensive. I believe we are all on the same side are we not? In our three man rotation, two of them are coming back from season ending injuries. Always a crapshoot!? So could we use a little more depth?
Must get immediate is KC Concepcion but he will take his visits so dont anticipate a early Christmas present but who knows . Micah Hudson am not sure about but 100 💯 has talent to be great .
The portal & the *C* together have forever changed the game & it's now NFL lite. A school with big donor $$$ like yours will fare much better than an Alabama does. It is what it is & we'll all deal with it like it or not.
Marcel reed needs to be replaced, not look for his back up. He can’t throw and when teams plan for his run abilities we have no offense, just a time for the defense to rest (for 1-2 minutes) we need to go get a top qb in the transfer portal and start him
You can't run an RPO when there is no pass and the only Run option is the QB because you are on the 3rd and 4th string RB's. Reed is supposed to be a dual threat QB. He needs work on the passing but he's not the worst I've ever seen either.
@@mr.absolutelynobody440 I think we can all agree that Marcel is not the Moses we are looking for. But I also don’t see Moses anywhere in the room. Texas has Ewers & Manning and we have Marcel. But to be fair to Marcel, he also has very few weapons to work with. Let’s face it , our receiving core this year was at least as subpar as our secondary. And we certainly did not have a breakout tight end. Every quarterback looks bad when their receivers don’t even run the correct route. And none of them consistently ran the correct route well and created separation. And by the time they did separate Marcel was running for his life. And then he gets blamed for not finding the open guy. Truly great quarterbacks can still find the open man while they’re on the run. But there are not many of those around and we certainly do not have one anywhere in the quarterback room. At least if we do I have not seen him! And good luck finding a top QB in the portal. Oregon did but we are not Oregon by any stretch. That’s like looking for a diamond ring in the Lost & Found of a Mexican border town to coin a phrase!
Feels like this year, it's guys being told to go elsewhere because the staff knows they're gonna bring people in to replace them and improve the roster.
How about replacing some of the staff..like the O/C..!!
@ I’ll give them another year. What this program needs is more stability, not less. The last thing Marcel and co need is to learn a third fucking playbook in as many years.
All players in the portal are leaving for depth reasons or they didn’t have a spot.
Outstanding analysis! I look forward to your future videos.
Of all the portal entries, the only ones that were either unexpected or painful (or both) are Shanahan and Dewberry. However, I'm not completely surprised they left since neither was going to beat out Chase Bisontis or Mark Nabou for starting jobs (Nabou was our starting center until very early in the Notre Dame game). The portal is still open until December 28th, so we have another two and a half weeks of this.
Appreciate your videos Drew!
Sorry I can’t always join you live, but continue to love what you provide. Please keep doing updates and breakdowns. Gig’em
I think Coach has bug plans for us. We gonna be bigger, faster and stronger. I do wish we keep guys and develop but think we gonna get some big explosion players
Heard this before...
You are well spoken, I enjoyed listening to you. You don’t add extra drama. I’m an Auburn fan.
Thanks. Actually have a few Auburn fan regulars. Have gotten along well with yall!
Dude, our DB’s were getting TORCHED all year long. We are 82nd this year is passing yards allowed…. Let that sink in, WE ARE 82ND IN PASSING YARDS ALLOWED. That’s horrible. Our DB’s (CB/S) were out of assignment and getting absolutely burnt all year long. Can’t turn around and play the ball, can’t stay in assignment, have no clue what cover 3 even means or what to do… idk, I was HIGHLY unimpressed with our secondary. I get that if you don’t get a pass rush, then it makes it easier for a QB to pick apart a secondary, but I’m making no excuses for these guys.
We need some ACTUAL dudes that play the ball. Not guys that we send on blitzes only to get burnt on the back end of EVERY big pass (Dalton Brooks).
Yeah bro. I Iove it when u do these videos bro.
A quarterback with 6 years of experience in his seventh year?
What is this Animal House?
Fun Fact: Zeno was the starting Quarterback at UAB the last time they played at Kyle Field...IN 2018
We need another RB like Moss in case he goes down. We lost the last three conference games because we didn't have anyone that could get us 4th and 1.
Lastly even the top programs lose players. It is what it is. Another key to A&M climbing is finding play makers ESPECIALLY at QB. The generation we’re working with is simply not geared for loyalty, accurate self reflection w/ improvement and patience.
After the complete failure of that “#1” class and a coaching change it would be delusional to think we aren’t in a rebuild. We’re going to throw tons of money at the problem until after year three we will have another coaching change.
That class is basically gone. Only a handful of guys remain. How much money was spent on that class and on that coach? Seriously could have built a new building on campus for that!
@@dr.markevers8331it’s a common misconception that that class was bought. More than half those kids were out of Houston.
Signed Zeno, bro ain’t starting over me 💯
Been waiting for your post
Recruiting has turned into rentals!
Aren’t we all just rentals to our employers and customers?
@dr.markevers8331 i agree with Tom Brady when he said there used to be programs and now there are playbooks. There can't be free agency without contracts.
sometimes people have to go before things can get better
Marcel looked unstoppable against LSU, but they were prepared and focused for Connor. This season as a starter it felt like teams were able to shut him down in the 2nd half. He never had a complete game and his record down the stretch was terrible. So, what do you feel like Marcel needs to focus on this off-season to become more of a complete QB next season?
I think he had a fine 2nd half against Auburn. Florida was more of a game plan thing than his performance….I’d argue the struggles down the stretch were more from losing Moss and disappointing OL play than Reed not meeting reasonable expectations
He needs to work on seeing the whole field. He left touchdowns all over the field against Auburn and South Carolina because he just threw it to the check down when a receiver was open down field
He needs to learn to go through his progressions/reads. Seen him totally lock in on one guy from the snap and miss seeing the wide open receiver for an easy completion. He needs consistency and touch on his long ball so he's not overthrowing the receivers down the field. A couple of his INT's were because the defender knew he would overthrow and was there to grab it.
All these "year 1" or "year 2" or year whatever is an example of living the in the past. Its not 2004. No one is building towards anything. You win or you don't year to year. Next year? Manage expectations because with our schedule, this team is going to be fighting to make a bowl game. I hope the guys we bring in are two year guys, because the 2026-27 season is going be a different world: maybe a 16 team playoff with new schedule.
Few know exactly how these contracts are structured. It’s assumed by most that players currently receiving NIL $’s and having eligibility remaining will stay on the payroll, like scholarships provided. There’s an enforcement element that is missing.
Lots more structure to be added over the coming years, but such a weak governing body.
As I post this aggy has 17 outgoing transfers. Texas has 6. One of these things is not like the other. Lol
Because 1 is in the playoff and the other is in the full swing of roster building. College calendars are weird and uneven.
While I like Reed, consistent QB play is my chief concern. Can that be addressed with an improved/healthy run gm., better/faster WR’s, TE’s who are multi dimensional blocking & catching… IDK, only Elko and the staff can answer that.
Offensive line play…QB is fine. He needs to develop too.
That may well be, I’m certainly hoping he improves. My point is QB play will need to be more consistent for us join the Blue Bloods of CF, that might come via Improved OL, WRs, &/or TEs.
You did a good job buddy!
I hate what CF now is. But as you indicate this is the landscape. Reality we must improve to be where we want to be. Elko knows it, the players know it. Maintaining depth is the primary concern. While there’s no one answer, the best is for us to become a yr in yr out top 10 program.
Multi-year NIL contracts can fix this issue
17 is just the start. There will likely be another 10 or so players leave.
Said it last year, I'll say it again.......... Need a big strong RB for all those short yardage situations.
Most of the guys leaving were expected, but definitely a few that I’m a lil surprised about
But honestly, am I the only one who’s kind of ready for some of these JIMBO guys to leave?
I also see we have a ton of guys that I like visiting this week 🤞
Sucks to see guys leave, but exciting to see new ones join!
Everyone realize these are not Elko's recruits and they didnt see the field on a regular bases. Instead of fighting for your position, it's portal time. NOW our DB's are "TRASH" they couldn't cover someone with a blanket. O-line and receivers are a must. We need receivers that can take the top of defenses.
You need a quarterback that can deliver the ball and an OL for protection. Otherwise, top receivers aren't going to get the ball.
So we're really going to use the "not his recruits" excuse? TJ Shanahan was a member of the 2024 class. Cyrus Allen and Josh Celiscar were portal signees AFTER Elko was hired.
Some guys will enter the portal, but may choose to stay. Just like free agency in the NFL
I like the Aggie program, love Elko. Texas is going to own this matchup for a good bit. How do yall feel about it?
Yes, it's time to panic. We could be coached by Nick Saban and have the Father, Son and Holy Ghost in the backfield and still finish 8-4.
I see we're playing USC in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 27. I think I'll pass on this one. Why torture myself watching our secondary get torched by a Lincoln Riley offense? Especially with the probable opt outs.
I would like to know how other top 15 to 25 teams fared on the first day of the portal. How many players did they lose. How does 17 compare with that. Because that is really what we’re chasing. And that is what the portal represents, chasing talent., musical chairs. But I thought you did a great job. I am not as happy with our running back room as you are, however. But that’s just my take. I’ve just say we are not near as deep in that room as teams like Texas or Georgia. We’re just not.
Moss was arguably the best back in the SEC this year. A legit 3 man rotation is all you can really ask for in a rb room. Owens might hold the upside to the room.
I agree, that is probably where we are. But it is not where we want to be. For example Texas lost their top two running backs this year and look what number 26 was able to do against us. We definitely do not have a running back stable like that. And so far Ruben has been a lot more hype than production.
@@markschneider3947 Owens was hurt all year and was good as a true freshman. What more could you want from him?
Playoff Teams: (Keep in mind that teams in the CFP playoff have an additional 10-day outgoing window starting the day after their final game)
-Oregon: 2 outgoing
-Georgia: 4 outgoing
-Boise State: 6 outgoing
-Arizona State: 10 outgoing (I don't count walkons)
-t.u.: 5 outgoing
-Penn State: 2 outgoing
-Notre Dame: 3 outgoing
-Ohio State: 5 outgoing
-Tennessee: 6 outgoing
-SMU: 1 outgoing
-Clemson: 3 outgoing
Other SEC teams:
-Alabama: 10 outgoing
-Arkansas: 21 outgoing
-Auburn: 11 outgoing
-Florida: 11 outgoing
-Kentucky: 18 outgoing
-LSU: 13 outgoing
-Mississippi State: 19 outgoing, 1 incoming
-Missouri: 5 outgoing
-Ole Miss: 6 outgoing
-Oklahoma: 11 outgoing
-South Carolina: 10 outgoing
-Vanderbilt: 13 outgoing
Of our 17 outgoing, 2 are walk-ons, so the real number is 15.
@miller.upton08 I am not down on Ruben. He was very adequate as a freshman, but he was hardly the phenom he was in high school and he is coming back from a serious injury which is always a gamble. We are discussing the general strength of our running back room compared to the teams we want to be competitive against. And now Leveon will be coming back from injury. I’m just not as comfortable with the depth of our offensive line or our running back stable as Drew seems to be. But I don’t know how well either of those can be addressed in the transfer portal. I shared I thought Drew did a great job, but he asked for feedback and I am giving it. I’m not trying to pick a fight or put anyone on the defensive. I believe we are all on the same side are we not? In our three man rotation, two of them are coming back from season ending injuries. Always a crapshoot!? So could we use a little more depth?
Must get immediate is KC Concepcion but he will take his visits so dont anticipate a early Christmas present but who knows . Micah Hudson am not sure about but 100 💯 has talent to be great .
is eric karner still planning on joining the team in the spring?
Great question.
Radcliffe doesn’t have the speed. Dalton is still going to be a nfl guy. TJ and Sylla hurt
The portal & the *C* together have forever changed the game & it's now NFL lite. A school with big donor $$$ like yours will fare much better than an Alabama does. It is what it is & we'll all deal with it like it or not.
Marcel reed needs to be replaced, not look for his back up. He can’t throw and when teams plan for his run abilities we have no offense, just a time for the defense to rest (for 1-2 minutes) we need to go get a top qb in the transfer portal and start him
You can't run an RPO when there is no pass and the only Run option is the QB because you are on the 3rd and 4th string RB's. Reed is supposed to be a dual threat QB. He needs work on the passing but he's not the worst I've ever seen either.
@@mr.absolutelynobody440 I think we can all agree that Marcel is not the Moses we are looking for. But I also don’t see Moses anywhere in the room. Texas has Ewers & Manning and we have Marcel. But to be fair to Marcel, he also has very few weapons to work with. Let’s face it , our receiving core this year was at least as subpar as our secondary. And we certainly did not have a breakout tight end. Every quarterback looks bad when their receivers don’t even run the correct route. And none of them consistently ran the correct route well and created separation. And by the time they did separate Marcel was running for his life. And then he gets blamed for not finding the open guy. Truly great quarterbacks can still find the open man while they’re on the run. But there are not many of those around and we certainly do not have one anywhere in the quarterback room. At least if we do I have not seen him! And good luck finding a top QB in the portal. Oregon did but we are not Oregon by any stretch. That’s like looking for a diamond ring in the Lost & Found of a Mexican border town to coin a phrase!
TJ and Cam not going to be missed. Not good enough for SEC OLine
We need a running back like skatabo..!! Hes a BEAST.!!
Moss is a beast! He was arguably the best back in the sec before he went down and still got 2nd team all sec! Need him back