Texas A&M’s defensive reputation is getting another strong push heading into 2026, and Athlon’s latest SEC coordinator rankings show exactly where Mike Elko stands in the conference picture.
On Wednesday, Steven Lassan placed Elko and Jay Bateman at No. 2 among SEC defensive coordinators, with only Oklahoma’s Brent Venables and co-defensive coordinator Todd Bates ranked higher. It’s another nod to the work Elko has done on that side of the ball, dating back to his four seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator and the head coaching opportunity he earned with the Aggies after two seasons at Duke that ended with back-to-back bowl appearances.
Elko officially took over the playcalling last fall after Bateman had handled most of those duties during the 2024 season. Once Bateman left for Kentucky to become the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator and playcaller, Elko promoted Lyle Hemphill into the coordinator role. Hemphill arrived with one season as James Madison’s defensive coordinator on his résumé, and he also spent time as Elko’s safeties coach at Duke.
The Aggies’ 2025 defense backed up the buzz. Texas A&M finished 18th nationally, led the country in third-down defense, ranked 16th in passing yards allowed and 40th against the run. The pass rush was a major weapon too, with Cashius Howell piling up an SEC-best 11.5 sacks as the Aggies totaled 43 sacks, second-most in the nation.
There’s turnover to manage now. Texas A&M lost Howell and several other key defenders to the NFL, but the portal haul gives the unit a chance to reload quickly. More than half of the 17 transfer additions are expected to start or rotate for Elko’s 2026 defense.
That group includes transfer edge Anto Saka, former Tennessee cornerback Rickey Gibson and nose tackle CJ Mims, all of whom look like immediate contributors. With Elko calling the shots and Hemphill bringing his background in the secondary, Texas A&M has the pieces to at least match last season’s production.
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Ratcliffes rise has already shown up in preseason recognition, including a spot on the Lott Trophy Watchlist, and the expectation around him is only growing as camp approaches. What makes him especially important for Texas A&M is the way he can be deployed near the line of scrimmage, where his presence could make him a steady force in the run game and a central figure in how this defense sets its tone. [Read more 🡒]