Remember the times we used to talk about how Texas A&M Aggies seemed like a sleeping giant in college football? They’ve got the fan base and the facilities, and they’re in the heart of Texas — a state filled with high school talent. But for some reason, the Aggies just couldn’t break through that ceiling. Fast forward to 2025 – and things are starting to look up! Under HC Mike Elko, Texas A&M is leading the recruitment drive. They’ve secured elite 5-star talents like WR Jerome Myles and OT Lamont Rogers. They rank at No. 7 with 25 commits. But here’s the kicker — despite these impressive signings, there’s a buzz going on around their NIL game.
With all the resources that Texas A&M has, anyone would normally guess they’re leading the pack. But hold on. In a section of the Cover 3 Podcast on February 21, Bud Elliott gave a response to Chip Patterson’s question — “Why can Texas A&M not match resources to results?” — “I don’t think their under-the-table booster structure was quite as organized as some places that Nick Saban has gone or was coaching at,” Elliott said. “LSU and Alabama seemed to really kind of get their act together after he started coaching there. Maybe they had money, but they didn’t funnel it in the right ways.” Turns out, the Aggies’ adjusted NIL value during the transfer process sits at $132K, which pales in comparison to its SEC counterparts.
Let’s face it, Aggies former HC Jimbo Fisher’s NIL spending spree seemed impressive on paper, but in reality, it didn’t go as planned. Despite being lauded as the best, Texas A&M’s celebrated 2022 recruiting class rapidly disintegrated – as only six out of the initial 30 signees are still at College Station until 2024, with 23 leaving after minimal playing time. Some transfers didn’t succeed elsewhere, which shows that A&M spent a lot of money without establishing a strong foundation.
Mike Elko now faces a challenging situation where the hype around NIL didn’t result in on-field success. Fisher’s hefty $77 million buyout has strained the budget, and A&M’s leadership appears reluctant to heavily invest in NIL again. However, in today’s SEC, hesitating can lead to being left behind. While other programs invest heavily in top talent, the Aggies are still recovering from their setbacks.
Even, Tom Fornelli highlights the same thing in this matter saying “They were always in a league where other people were doing the same thing and they weren’t the best team doing it,” he pointed out. “Now that you’re in the SEC, you’ve got Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, and all of these other schools to deal with. Like you’ve never been the big dog on your block.” In comparison, all the mentioned SEC schools have the million-dollar mark.
However, it’s not like the transfer portal hasn’t been generous to Mike Elko with key players like T.J. Searcy (Florida) and Samuel M’Pemba (Georgia); talent is not the issue. The issue is execution, which the Aggies lack, and if they don’t pull up their NIL game, these high-profile recruits might start their team hauls again. Just like Ryan Gilbert, who started looking for better options. But Mike Elko is the one keeping his guards upright, not letting that happen easily.
Mike Elko is stocking Texas A&M Aggies with all-rounding power
Well, Texas A&M has historically been successful in recruiting talented players, but without cashing in fully. However, Mike Elko is determined to change that. The team’s offensive line, including standout players like Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, showed great promise last season. Even lesser-known recruits such as Taurean York, BJ Mayes, and Will Lee made significant contributions. Now, all attention is on Ashton Funk, a highly anticipated player eager to prove himself.
Even insider Andrew Stefefaniak isn’t shy about his excitement: “One that gets me the most fired up is Ashton Funk, a guy with that 6 ft 7 frame of around 300 pounds. He’s got an SEC-ready college football-ready frame; he had it when he walked on the campus.” From the start, Funk has been a highly touted prospect, expected to become the Aggies’ future left tackle. His size and skill make him the missing puzzle piece A&M’s offense needs.
But Funk’s rise isn’t a smooth one; Trey Zuhn is back for his senior season after two years of success. Now, Zuhn is likely to regain his starting position, putting Funk in a challenging position. Well, competition breeds excellence, and if Funk continues to hone his skills, Texas A&M could soon have a formidable player anchoring their offensive line. But for now, it’s safe to say that Mike Elko is not the one totally messing around with the Aggies.
The post $132K Wake-Up Call for Mike Elko as Texas A&M’s Lackluster NIL Push Raises SEC Concerns appeared first on EssentiallySports.
