When athletic director Trev Alberts hired Mike Elko to become the new head coach of Texas A&M on November 27, 2023, every member of the Maroon and White faithful knew the Aggies had hauled in one of college football's top recruiters.

College football is in a state of flux entering the 2025 season, and most of the uncertainty centers around the future of the CFP. It’s clear the SEC and Big Ten — the sport’s two powers — want to expand the field to 14 or 16 teams.

The No. 1 Longhorns are trying to solidify the elite status that comes from churning out national title contenders on a yearly basis.