Texas A&M secondary targets turnover reduction ahead of 2026 campaign
Third-year head coach Mike Elko describes the unit as "SEC-level" as new additions and returning starters focus on converting defensive opportunities into game-changing plays.
Texas A&M’s defensive back unit is prioritising the reduction of turnovers ahead of the 2026 season, following a 2025 campaign where the team recorded only three interceptions. Despite frequently being in position to make plays on the ball, the secondary struggled to secure the final catch. To address this, third-year head coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill have implemented specific drills, including the use of a Jugs machine for 25 catches prior to practice.
The unit has been bolstered by new additions, including Colorado transfer safety Tawfiq Byard and former Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson, alongside returning starters such as Julio Humphrey, Dezz Ricks, Dalton Brooks, and Marcus Ratcliffe. Elko has described the secondary as an "SEC-level" group capable of rectifying the team’s turnover issues.
During the team's first full preseason practice open to the media on Saturday afternoon, cornerback Julio Humphrey outlined the technical adjustments being made. Humphrey stated that every defensive back is required to take 25 catches off a Jugs machine before practice to improve ball skills, a directive emphasised by Hemphill to address the lack of takeaways in the previous year.
The wide receiver rotation is also considered deep, featuring junior Terry Bussey, who was identified by media as the top performer during the open practice with an impressive one-handed grab. Bussey, a former five-star athlete in the 2024 recruiting class, is transitioning from positions including quarterback, running back, and cornerback. He is joined in the rotation by Mario Craver, Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton, Jerome Myles, and freshman Aaron Gregory.
Ashton Bethel-Roman, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, had a significant rise in performance during the previous year’s preseason. The combination of a robust receiving corps and a secondary focused on ball security suggests a strategic shift in how Texas A&M intends to manage game flow and possession in the upcoming season.
