Mold Remediation in College Station, TX

COLLEGE STATION — This is the time of year when Mike Elko’s semi-youth and relative inexperience are a good thing for Texas A&M.

Elko, 47, is in his third season as a head coach and is less crotchety than some of his more established elders at having to retool if not outright rebuild a roster nearly every year in this golden (for the players) age of college football.

I asked Elko this year how a coach builds a culture within a program while routinely having to mix and match a roster in the offseason, and I appreciate his localizing his answer. (Elko once considered sportswriting when mulling his career options, so perhaps he gets it.)

“People have to look at it differently, because those things have been going on forever,” Elko said. “The Houston Chronicle has had employees coming in and out forever, but there’s still a culture behind the organization. That’s where leadership has to set the standard from me and through our coaches and players.

“So when new people come in, they know what they’re getting into.”

The topic is applicable because the Aggies, following an 8-4 showing in Elko’s first regular season as head coach, are experiencing plenty of turnover with their roster headed into bowl season — like loads of other programs in an age of wide-open transfers and the best financial deals players can find through benefiting from their name, image and likeness (NIL).

For instance, A&M has done a solid job of recruiting defensive linemen in the past few years under Elko and predecessor Jimbo Fisher, and that’s now prompting multiple exits that are not only NIL and portal related.

The Aggies, who are taking on 6-6 Southern Cal in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 27, will need to fill in gaps along the line in a hurry — even prior to the bowl — considering they’re expected to lose six defensive linemen to the NFL draft and the portal.

A&M’s top two defensive ends, juniors Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, have declared their intention to bypass their senior season and begin preparing for the draft. Shemar Turner is a senior bound for the NFL, and non-seniors Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Enai White, Malick Sylla and Samu Taumanupepe all have declared their intention to transfer.

As of now, Turner is planning on playing in the bowl. So who else does that leave on a once-deep unit, not only for next year but for next game, two days after Christmas? Ends Cashius Howell and Rylan Kennedy should continue earning significant playing time, and Albert Regis, DJ Hicks and Rodas Johnson should be able to man the middle.

On the other side of the ball, the Aggies finished the regular season with four scholarship quarterbacks but are down to two following the exits of Conner Weigman and Jaylen Henderson to the portal. Redshirt freshman Marcel Reed is scheduled to earn his eighth start of the season, while true freshman Miles O’Neill is his backup. Longtime walk-on Blake Bost could also play quarterback in a pinch, as he has in the past.

Offensive line, too, has taken a hit for the Aggies in the past week. TJ Shanahan, Kam Dewberry, Hunter Erb and Aki Ogunbiyi intend to transfer.

The semi-surprise among that group is Shanahan, a redshirt freshman who filled in adequately this season for injured guard Chase Bisontis and center Mark Nabou. This is a reminder, too, that a year ago Bisontis, one of A&M’s top offensive linemen, entered the transfer portal only to ultimately return to the roster under Elko.

Along the way, Elko is trying to develop what he dubs “very clear standards and very clear expectations” for his team, regardless of the roster turnover year in and year out — turnover nearly every team in the nation deals with now and in the spring and summer because of the portal and NIL.

“It’s not as hard as you think (to deal with), as long as you redirect your vision of what college football is,” Elko said. “It’s not the same, so now it’s let’s move forward and figure out how we create a culture that sustains a little bit more volatility, a little bit more ‘in and out.’ ”

He added that’s where clear standards and expectations enter the equation, and “at the end of the day, if kids believe and buy into what you’re doing, it will limit the amount of transition.”

A&M, which in 2025 will try to win its first league title since 1998 when it competed in the Big 12, last week signed the nation’s No. 8 recruiting class, sixth in the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies need most help at receiver, and five-star prospect Jerome Myles of Draper, Utah, is expected to earn every opportunity to help Reed and the offense right away.

A&M also expects the return of five-star running back Rueben Owens from a leg injury, perhaps in the bowl. He played briefly in the Aggies’ 17-7 home loss to Texas in the regular-season finale.

Dec 10, 2024

Texas A&M Beat Writer

Brent Zwerneman is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle covering Texas A&M athletics. He can be reached at brent.zwerneman@houstonchronicle.com. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball.

Brent is the author of four published books about Texas A&M, three related to A&M athletics. He’s a five-time winner of APSE National Top 10 writing awards for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, including in 2021 breaking the bombshell college football story of the decade: Texas and Oklahoma secretly planning a move to the SEC.

He netted a national APSE second-place finish for breaking the Dennis Franchione “secret newsletter” scandal in 2007, and his coverage of Texas A&M’s move to the SEC from the Big 12 also netted a third-place finish nationally in 2012.

Brent was named national beat writer of the year by the Football Writers Association of America for 2021, the first Texan to earn the honor, but he’s most proud on the sports front of earning Dayton Invitational Basketball Tournament MVP honors in 1988.

Brent met his wife, KBTX-TV news anchor Crystal Galny, in the Dixie Chicken before an A&M-Texas Tech football game in 2002, and the couple has three children: Will, Zoe and Brady.

College Football's Week 15 is done, and these five draft prospects, who could end up on the Giants' big board next April, did well to get their names out there to improve their respective draft stocks.

WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Matthew Golden was, far and away, the best wide receiver on the field when Texas lost in overtime against Georgia. Golden was targeted 13 times with eight receptions for 162 yards receiving.

He displayed plus-level route running, separation, and athleticism. His route stems were detailed, and the way he attacked the defensive back's leverage to create separation for QB Quinn Ewers to have easier throws makes him a quarterback-friendly receiver.

Golden's body control and ball skills are exciting to watch on film. The Giants can use a talented and versatile wide receiver like Golden to pair with Malik Nabers on day two of the NFL Draft.

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

The 2024 season has been a strong year for Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron, who is consistently climbing the cornerback rankings.

Nothing changed against Georgia; he continued to put up an impressive performance. Barron was targeted in coverage four times, giving up one catch.

He accounted for one pass breakup and an interception to give his team a chance to tie or win the game in the fourth quarter. He has proven to be a difference maker in the secondary with his alignment versatility to play nickel, outside CB, and safety.

A player of his caliber would be an instant impact and talent upgrade into the Giants' secondary.

IOL Sal Wormley, Penn State

One of the best performances on the offensive line came from Penn State guard Sal Wormley. He faced a talented interior defensive line for Oregon and allowed one pressure and a sack on a twist/stunt between the Ducks' defensive tackles.

Otherwise, Wormley was stellar, showcasing his hand strength and ability to punch and re-establish the connection if his hand was knocked away.

Worlmely's lateral agility is functional, and his motor for washing defenders out of the picture is awesome. Improving the front lines remains a big need for the Giants front office.

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

Daylen Everette played another great game against Texas in the SEC Championship game. Everette repeated his success against Quinn Ewers in their second meeting this season with two more interceptions.

He played tough and physical defense against those athletically gifted wide receivers. Everette closed on the football quickly, intending to get a hand on it to make a play. He did a good job separating the ball from the receiver's body late in the rep.

A second cornerback across from Deonte Banks is needed and Everette, who plays with toughness, competitiveness, and physicality could be a welcome sight in the Giants' cornerbacks room.

QB Drew Allar, Penn State

Despite throwing two interceptions, Drew Allar had a solid performance against Oregon's tough defense. Allar made plays with his arms and legs that were impactful.

He accounted for four total touchdowns (three passing and one rushing).

Allar could give Brian Daboll Josh Allen vibes from his time in Buffalo. Penn State has very little draftable offensive skill position talent around Allar, which hurts his stat lines more often than not.

If he is put in an offense with playmakers, I expect him to develop and reach his high ceiling. Daboll is the coach who can get the job done.

See Also

New York Giants On SI Social Media

With the transfer portal now open, Texas’ roster is starting to shift around a bit before the College Football Playoffs begin.

With the Longhorns having an 11-win season, some players may be thinking about going pro earlier than intended.

Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline is a respected NFL Draft watcher who tracks news and tidbits every year, and he’s looking at three Horns would could go pro instead of returning to campus.

Each one of these players have been key contributors to Texas’ season;

Cam Williams, offensive tackle

Williams certainly has the body frame NFL scouts covet. At 6-foot-5, 355 pounds, Williams has been a two-year contributor who started the entire season. The down side is that he’s one of the most penalized offensive tackles in college football. His three penalties alone in a single drive against Michigan nearly derailed Texas’ start, but Williams pulled it together to have a solid day in the Big House.

Pauline has a second-round grade on Williams. Most draft watchers consider left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to be a first-rounder. At this point, it would be a total shock if Banks doesn’t go into the NFL Draft.

WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: Follow A to Z Sports’ Texas Longhorns channel on YouTube.

Matthew Golden, receiver

Golden transferred from Houston and simply wanted to fit in. He’s done far more than that. Golden has become the Horns’ best receiving threat this season with 47 catches for 738 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns.

Most thought Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond would be Texas’ top target simply on speed alone. Scouts will be down on Bond’s ability, or unwillingness, to block. Golden is a great mix of both — speed, good hands and will do the dirty work.

Trey Moore, defensive tackle

Moore had a tremendous season with UTSA before transferring to the system’s flagship school for the 2024 campaign. He was the American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year and first-team All-AAC pick. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Moore found his footing midseason and has 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss so far in 13 games.

COLLEGE STATION — Prior to the season,Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart were the “best defensive end combo we’ve had here in a long time.”

Now each junior is headed to the NFL. Scourton and Stewart on Monday both declared their intentions to be in the 2025 NFL draft, and each might wind up a first- or second-round selection, even if their overall numbers weren’t great this season.

Scourton had 14 tackles for loss and five sacks, mostly in the first half of the season, while Stewart had 5½ tackles for loss and 1½ sacks. Neither is expected to play in the Las Vegas Bowl for the 8-4 Aggies against Southern Cal (6-6) on Dec. 27 at Las Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium as they begin preparing for the draft.

Defensive line had been a strength over the past few seasons under then-coach Jimbo Fisher, but Elko, following his first year, must reload at the vital unit in Southeastern Conference play. Former five-star recruit Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy has announced his intention to transfer, along with fellow defensive linemen Enai White, Malick Sylla and Samu Taumanupepe.

Other A&M players intending to transfer are quarterbacks Conner Weigman and Jaylen Henderson; offensive linemen Kam Dewberry, Hunter Erb and Aki Ogunbiyi; receivers Micah Tease and Cyrus Allen; tight end Jaden Platte; and linebackers Chantz Johnson and Martrell Harris, via 247Sports.

Dec 9, 2024|Updated Dec 9, 2024 1:27 p.m.

Texas A&M Beat Writer

Brent Zwerneman is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle covering Texas A&M athletics. He can be reached at brent.zwerneman@houstonchronicle.com. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball.

Brent is the author of four published books about Texas A&M, three related to A&M athletics. He’s a five-time winner of APSE National Top 10 writing awards for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, including in 2021 breaking the bombshell college football story of the decade: Texas and Oklahoma secretly planning a move to the SEC.

He netted a national APSE second-place finish for breaking the Dennis Franchione “secret newsletter” scandal in 2007, and his coverage of Texas A&M’s move to the SEC from the Big 12 also netted a third-place finish nationally in 2012.

Brent was named national beat writer of the year by the Football Writers Association of America for 2021, the first Texan to earn the honor, but he’s most proud on the sports front of earning Dayton Invitational Basketball Tournament MVP honors in 1988.

Brent met his wife, KBTX-TV news anchor Crystal Galny, in the Dixie Chicken before an A&M-Texas Tech football game in 2002, and the couple has three children: Will, Zoe and Brady.

After a year that saw a meteoric return to form for the Aggies football team, Texas A&M is moving on from a longstanding program tradition due to safety concerns.

On Friday, Texas A&M President Mark Welsh announced in an email that the university will no longer hold an in-person ticket pull, the tradition in which Aggies students camp outside Kyle Field in order to "pull" tickets for the week's upcoming football game. Instead, the university will switch to an all-digital format in the name of preserving student safety. The decision comes less than a month after multiple ambulances were dispatched to the concourse outside Kyle Field in response to students fainting in cramped crowds while waiting to pull tickets for A&M's Nov. 30 game against the Texas Longhorns.

"I love our traditions. They are such a magnificent part of what makes this place special," Welsh wrote in an email to the university. "The tradition of the 12th Man has been very well served by the practice of ticket pull over the years. For many, it has become a rite of passage. However, as we grow and evolve as a university and work hard to preserve our valued traditions, the practices associated with those traditions sometimes also need to evolve.

"We put students at risk in the ticket pull for the Texas game. I will not risk letting that happen again. I'm confident we can create a digital solution that preserves the most important elements of the current system and allows us to welcome the 2025 football season safely filled with the Aggie Spirit."

President Welsh has just announced that ticket pull will be online moving forward pic.twitter.com/HfWUttdfEo

— Barstool Texas A&M (@BarstoolTexasAM) December 6, 2024

The end of A&M's in-person ticket pull follows a season in which multiple crowd rushes led to chaos and potentially dangerous conditions for students camping outside the university's football stadium. The school attempted to rein in the tradition at the start of the season by mandating new rules for the ticket pull: limiting the amount of time students can camp out before a given pull and requiring tents set up outside Kyle Field to be no larger than 10-by-10 feet. The university also banned generators, alcohol and non-portable furniture from ticket pull.

Nonetheless, A&M students who assembled for ticket pulls ahead of October's LSU game and November's Texas tilt reported dangerous pushing and rampant line-cutting. Ahead of the Lone Star Showdown game, some 30,000 tickets were distributed outside Kyle Field on Monday, Nov. 18—a school record. On that same day, five ambulances were dispatched to the stadium concourse in response to reported fainting in the ticket pull crowd, according to university officials.

"Literally almost got crushed," one Reddit user wrote of the Texas game ticket pull. "There were points I could not move my arms. You could not leave if you wanted to."

What Texas A&M's new ticket pull process will look like remains unknown, but many universities have shifted from in-person ticket pickups to digital solutions. The University of Texas, for example, offers the "Big Ticket"—a $200 pass that gives students the opportunity to digitally claim admission to all athletic contests at the school for a given academic year, including football games.

More Sports

Astros | Two surprise suitors emerge in Alex Bregman free agency huntTexans | Texans lose rising defensive star to chest injury after Titans lossRockets | Why Houston hoops fans should embrace NBA CupCollege | Texas showdown is most expensive ticket in college football history

Catch up on Texas sports, sign up for the Launch Pad newsletter here.