Greg McElroy on Texas A&M: 'I don't think this is going to be some rebuild'

Greg McElroy sees Texas A&M as a team that could surprise some people in 2024. The Aggies are coming off of a lackluster past six seasons under coach Jimbo Fisher and ready to start anew under Mike Elko.

They never won more than nine games under Fisher and finished with a 7-6 record this past season. However, Elko — who returns to College Station after serving as the Aggies defensive coordinator from 2018-2021 — brings hope of brighter days.

McElroy believes they could even come as quickly as this year.

“You’re gonna probably laugh at my expectations for Texas A&M, because they are higher than most,” he said. “I look at their roster and I look at the structure, the way Mike Elko was able to organize Duke and create problems for the opposition the last couple of years. I don’t think this is going to be some rebuild. I think this is a situation where the second he walks into the door, he walks into a pretty good situation.”

The Aggies lost 29 players to the transfer portal but do return a couple of key names from this past season. Starting quarterback Conner Weigman and receivers Jahdae Walker, Noah Thomas and Moose Muhammad are all back, which should create a chance for the passing game to take a leap forward.

Defensively, Shemar Turner returns after finishing second on the team with six sacks, while cornerback Tyreek Chappell is also back are tying for a team-high seven passes defended. Elko should have plenty of opportunity to take advantage of their talent given his experience comes coaching defense.

The schedule that Texas A&M faces gives McElroy even more faith in their chances as a contender. The Aggies face their toughest conference opponents at home with Texas, Missouri and LSU all making trips to Kyle Field. They also have favorable matchups on the road against Florida, Auburn, South Carolina and Mississippi State.

“You look at their schedule, it’s a whole heck of a lot more manageable than you might assume,” McElroy said. “An incredible season would be 10-2. Flirt with an at-large Playoff spot. I think that’s an incredible year for Texas A&M and I think it can be done. I think a rock solid season would be 8-4. If you look at their schedule, in particular their home schedule, I think this is very achievable. …Then a disappointing season would be to go 6-6 or worse.”

Time will tell whether the ESPN analyst is correct in his prediction for Texas A&M. The Aggies kick off the season on Aug. 31 with a home game against Notre Dame.