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Mike Elko Reacts to Wild Roster Uncertainty at Texas A&M

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is knee-deep in preparation for the 2025 season—but he’s not even sure what kind of roster he’ll be working with.

In a candid moment during a recent press conference, Elko expressed frustration with the chaotic state of college football’s roster rules amid ongoing changes tied to the transfer portal and NIL deals.

“At this point, we have no idea, right?” Elko said. “It’s relatively crazy considering we’re knee-deep into preparations for the season and we don’t even really know what the roster rules are for the season that we’re about to play.”

It’s a stunning admission—but one that coaches across the country can likely relate to. With players entering and exiting the portal year-round and NIL-driven moves reshaping rosters on the fly, consistency has become a luxury.

Elko’s remarks reflect a broader call within the sport for leadership and regulation. He stressed the urgent need for a centralized system that offers clear standards and expectations, not only for roster caps but also for how teams are allowed to build and maintain depth.

Still, Elko says the foundation of any successful program starts internally.

“You can’t control all the movement,” he noted, “but you can control your culture. That has to be the anchor.”

As Texas A&M continues its offseason work, Elko is staying focused on what he can control—but he's not hiding from the reality that the college football world around him is still searching for stability as it awaits a court ruling on the matter.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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