Count Mike Elko among those with questions about NIL and its effects on college teams. The Texas A&M Aggies head coach is not outright opposed to NIL; rather, he raises concerns about how the dynamic of freshmen receiving lucrative deals could potentially destabilize the locker room.
NIL’s Impact on Team Dynamics
“I think you have to be really intelligent when you manage this thing, how you manage it for the culture of your program,” said Elko. He elaborated, “You see some of these insane freshman deals. I would like to know how the upperclassmen in their program feel when these freshmen come in making five times more than the returning starter.” This raises a valid point: how can teams maintain unity and morale when financial disparities exist among players?
While there is no centralized data on NIL deals, reports indicate that some high school players are nearing seven-figure contracts. This disparity highlights Elko’s concerns, as the majority of student-athletes are far from receiving such lucrative offers. After an early recruiting period that has seen the Aggies land promising talent, Elko and his coaching staff face the challenge of keeping everyone on the same page and avoiding locker room rifts.
Early success for Mike Elko and the Aggies
Despite the challenges posed by NIL, there has been notable early recruiting success for Elko and the Aggies’ class of 2025. Following a bounce-back season that saw Texas A&M finish with an 8-4 record in 2024, up from 7-6 in 2023 and 5-7 the year prior, the team is making strides on the recruiting front.
As the early signing day period kicked off, Texas A&M secured several top prospects. According to 247 Sports, by the end of the first day, the Aggies had assembled the number 9 recruiting class in the nation, boasting 24 commits. This is a significant achievement for Elko, showcasing his ability to attract talent to the program.
Star recruits join the Aggies
The Aggies’ class is headlined by standout 5-star recruits, including wide receiver Jerome Myles and offensive lineman Lamont Rogers. Myles, who decommitted from the University of Southern California (USC), brings exceptional talent to the receiving corps. Meanwhile, Rogers made a notable flip from Missouri, further strengthening the offensive line.
Additionally, quarterback Brady Hart, ranked as the 28th-best quarterback prospect in the nation, recently switched his commitment from Michigan to Texas A&M. This influx of talent is promising for the Aggies as they look to build a competitive roster.
However, not all news is positive. The Aggies did experience a setback with the loss of 5-star quarterback commit Husan Longstreet, who flipped to USC after Julian Lewis decided to decommit from the Trojans to join the Colorado Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders. Furthermore, A&M will be losing some experienced players to the transfer portal, which could impact their depth going into the next season.
Addressing NIL concerns
With the new revenue-sharing policy allowing schools to pay college athletes directly for the first time, Texas schools face unique challenges. Texas House Bill 2804 prohibits universities from directly compensating athletes, which could complicate recruitment efforts.
Despite these potential hurdles, Mike Elko remains optimistic. He dismissed the notion that NIL would hinder the Aggies’ recruiting strategy for the 2025 class. “NIL didn’t play any role in our inability to land anyone. Maybe our NIL plan didn’t allow us to get involved with certain kids or to continue to recruit certain kids, or to match a number that might have allowed us to land certain kids, but that was more of an internal plan,” Elko remarked.
While some states are beginning to implement revenue-sharing deals, questions linger about how these practices will evolve and affect college football recruiting.
Looking ahead
As the early signing day window continues through Friday, there is still an opportunity for Texas A&M to add more pieces to their 2025 class. With 13 4-star recruits already in the fold, the outlook is promising for Elko’s first season at the helm.
In the fast-paced world of college football, where recruiting can change in an instant, the Aggies are positioning themselves well. The combination of a strong recruiting class and Elko’s leadership could set the stage for a successful future, even amid the complexities of NIL.
As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Texas A&M navigates these challenges while striving for excellence on and off the field. The excitement surrounding the Aggies is palpable, and fans are eager to see how this talented group will come together in the upcoming season.
