Your Fightin' Texas Aggies will take the field in 43 days to kick off the season against Notre Dame. Former Texas A&M and NFL safety Jordan Pugh joined Friday's edition of TexAgs Radio to discuss Mike Elko's appearance at SEC Media Days and much more.
Key notes from Jordan Pugh interview
- Me and Sam Acho grew up together. I saw the clip that you all had together, and I wish I was able to call in and blow up what he was talking about. Here’s one of the things I've been hearing a lot and something he was talking about.
- Everyone is saying Texas is ready to enter the SEC, and they are to an extent. Everyone keeps talking about how they beat Alabama. What are we so proud about? The last time I checked, we did that twice. By the way, both of those times, Alabama went on to play for a national title. They get the praise and the hype, but at the end of the day, Texas has been mediocre since we left for the SEC.
- I think Texas is going to be very average. I think they had a very exceptional year, but they had a lot of older talent on the team. Quinn Ewers is good, but I didn't think he was exceptional by any means. He reminds me a lot of Jay Cutler, actually.
- I think they’ll find success in the SEC, and I think Steve Sarkisian understands the gauntlet they're about to go through, but I don't think the rest of the administration does.
- When you go back to last year, they played around with teams like Kansas and Houston, and you can't do that in this league. As far as the players are concerned, I'm not sure if they know what they're walking into when it comes to the SEC.
- I love Mike Elko, and I love that he has demanded the work out of the guys. There hasn't been a lot of noise, but I think everybody understands the expectations and vision of what they're trying to do. I think people are sleeping on A&M. We have the necessary pieces to be successful. Sometimes, you just need a different chef in the kitchen
- He's very down to business, and he holds people to a higher standard. I think that's the thing A&M has been missing. We've had the talent and resources, just not the right guy. I think he has what it takes to do it. I was listening for tone and vision, and I think he hits those two measures.
- Taurean York came in as a true freshman and is already leading the group. I think he is a guy that fits Elko and has a blue-collar work ethic. He has extreme talent, but his work ethic speaks for itself. Having those types of guys that understand what the task is are the type of guys you need.
- I remember when Elko got hired, the most important hire I think a head coach can make is a strength coach. When he brought up the importance of a strength coach yesterday, that told me a lot about him.
- To hear that Shemar Turner put on that much muscle while keeping his explosiveness is huge. The value of a strength coach is so underrated. There is no other coach that you fear more than him. When he shows up, you're either getting to work or getting disciplined. Tommy Moffitt being Elko’s voice is a huge thing for the team.
- I think you only saw a small glimpse of Conner Weigman last year. Now, mix that in with Collin Klein, and it will be huge. He is a playmaker, and when you saw a glimpse of his game, he was one of the best passers in the nation. He has made leaps and bounds.
- I think A&M is a sleeping giant this year. Look at the pieces they have in place. Look at the coaches they have. I think they have the right-skill players on the offensive line and defensive line. This team can make some noise this year.
