🔥 Mike Elko Believes Texas A&M’s Veteran O-Line Is the Secret Weapon in Their 2025 Playoff Quest

Mike Elko, Texas A&M’s head coach, has made it clear that he believes the Aggies’ veteran offensive line will be the key to their success in the 2025 College Football Playoff quest. With every starter from the 2024 season returning, Elko sees this experienced unit as the foundation for a dominant season ahead [A](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/aggies/football/2025/06/05/mike-elko-texas-aggies-football-offenisve-line-2020-texas-aggies-football-o-line/84042779007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidGpmZFNlVGdtWmVMQVlEeWh4alN0IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmF6Y2VudHJhbC5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC9zcG9ydHNcL2NvbGxlZ2VcL2FnZ2llc1wvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA2XC8wNVwvbWlrZS1lbGtvLXRleGFzLWFnZ2llcy1mb290YmFsbC1vZmZlbmlzdmUtbGluZS0yMDIwLXRleGFzLWFnZ2llcy1mb290YmFsbC1vLWxpbmVcLzg0MDQyNzc5MDA3XC8iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJvNUZMZ0NLQjVDRlFwcjIyNm1ObXkifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).

### A Veteran Offensive Line Ready to Dominate
Elko has emphasized that Texas A&M’s offensive line is reminiscent of the elite group that led the Aggies to a 9-1 record in 2020. The current lineup includes standout players such as left tackle Trey Zuhn, left guard Chase Bisontis, and right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, all of whom are considered among the best at their positions [A](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/aggies/football/2025/06/05/mike-elko-texas-aggies-football-offenisve-line-2020-texas-aggies-football-o-line/84042779007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidGpmZFNlVGdtWmVMQVlEeWh4alN0IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoibzVGTGdDS0I1Q0ZRcHIyMjZtTm15IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmF6Y2VudHJhbC5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC9zcG9ydHNcL2NvbGxlZ2VcL2FnZ2llc1wvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA2XC8wNVwvbWlrZS1lbGtvLXRleGFzLWFnZ2llcy1mb290YmFsbC1vZmZlbmlzdmUtbGluZS0yMDIwLXRleGFzLWFnZ2llcy1mb290YmFsbC1vLWxpbmVcLzg0MDQyNzc5MDA3XC8iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Their size, experience, and NFL potential make them a formidable force in both pass protection and run blocking.

### The Impact on Texas A&M’s Offense
For starting quarterback Marcel Reed, the offensive line’s stability is crucial. As a redshirt sophomore, Reed is expected to improve as a pocket passer, and Elko believes that solid pass protection will allow him to thrive [A](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/aggies/football/2025/06/05/mike-elko-texas-aggies-football-offenisve-line-2020-texas-aggies-football-o-line/84042779007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJvNUZMZ0NLQjVDRlFwcjIyNm1ObXkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuYXpjZW50cmFsLmNvbVwvc3RvcnlcL3Nwb3J0c1wvY29sbGVnZVwvYWdnaWVzXC9mb290YmFsbFwvMjAyNVwvMDZcLzA1XC9taWtlLWVsa28tdGV4YXMtYWdnaWVzLWZvb3RiYWxsLW9mZmVuaXN2ZS1saW5lLTIwMjAtdGV4YXMtYWdnaWVzLWZvb3RiYWxsLW8tbGluZVwvODQwNDI3NzkwMDdcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJ0amZkU2VUZ21aZUxBWUR5aHhqU3QifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The Aggies also boast a deep running back room, led by senior Le’Veon Moss, which will benefit from the offensive line’s ability to create running lanes. Offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s scheme emphasizes the ground game, but when defenses shut it down, Reed will need to step up and deliver strikes downfield.

### Elko’s Confidence in His Team
During the Houston Coach’s Night, Elko expressed his unwavering belief in the Aggies’ potential. He stated, “If you think back to the core of the 2020 football team, the offensive line is where it all started. We bring back all four tailbacks. That is not something you see all the time” [A](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/aggies/football/2025/06/05/mike-elko-texas-aggies-football-offenisve-line-2020-texas-aggies-football-o-line/84042779007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidGpmZFNlVGdtWmVMQVlEeWh4alN0IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmF6Y2VudHJhbC5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC9zcG9ydHNcL2NvbGxlZ2VcL2FnZ2llc1wvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA2XC8wNVwvbWlrZS1lbGtvLXRleGFzLWFnZ2llcy1mb290YmFsbC1vZmZlbmlzdmUtbGluZS0yMDIwLXRleGFzLWFnZ2llcy1mb290YmFsbC1vLWxpbmVcLzg0MDQyNzc5MDA3XC8iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJvNUZMZ0NLQjVDRlFwcjIyNm1ObXkifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His confidence in the offensive line’s ability to anchor the team’s success is evident, and he sees them as the driving force behind Texas A&M’s playoff aspirations.

### The Road Ahead
Texas A&M faces a challenging schedule in 2025, with matchups against nationally ranked teams such as Florida, LSU, South Carolina, and Texas [B](https://www.si.com/college/tamu/football/texas-am-aggies-mike-elko-favors-sec-teams-updated-playoff-format?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuc2kuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC90YW11XC9mb290YmFsbFwvdGV4YXMtYW0tYWdnaWVzLW1pa2UtZWxrby1mYXZvcnMtc2VjLXRlYW1zLXVwZGF0ZWQtcGxheW9mZi1mb3JtYXQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidGpmZFNlVGdtWmVMQVlEeWh4alN0IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoibzVGTGdDS0I1Q0ZRcHIyMjZtTm15IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The Aggies’ ability to navigate this tough slate will depend heavily on their offensive line’s performance. If they can dominate in the trenches, they have a legitimate shot at securing the program’s first College Football Playoff berth.

Elko’s belief in his veteran offensive line is more than just optimism—it’s a strategic vision for success. With a talented group of linemen protecting the quarterback and paving the way for the running game, Texas A&M is poised to make a serious playoff push in 2025. The Aggie faithful have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.