Texas A&M football: Mike Elko sees spring progress, addresses DJ Hicks' comment (2025)

COLLEGE STATION — As the Texas A&M football program enters the second half of spring ball, many players are still adjusting to new roles and opportunities.

Perhaps the biggest change on the Aggies roster belongs on the defensive line, where three starters, Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton and Shemar Turner, have turned their attention to pursuing NFL careers.

The three's absence has created several holes along the defense, which the Aggies have addressed aggressively since the 2024 season concluded.

A&M added four pieces in the portal and another four from the high school ranks. They also have returners such as DJ Hicks, Albert Regis and Rylan Kennedy, who should play larger roles.

Here's what Hicks and head coach Mike Elko said after the Aggies' practice Wednesday:

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Why DJ Hicks could have a big season

Hicks came to A&M as a highly touted prospect in the 2023 class. He was rated a five-star prospect and ranked in the top 15 by three major recruiting services (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals). Hicks was also tabbed the No. 1 recruit in Texas by 247Sports.

There may have been a lot of places where Hicks could have stepped in and played right away, totaling just 325 snaps in 2024, the 17th highest on the defense. But staying with the Aggies was something Hicks felt benefited him.

"To be 100% percent honest, it's difficult," Hicks told reporters about not playing much early. "It's hard coming in as a highly-regarded recruit, thinking you're going to play a lot, and then having to wait your turn. It taught me a lot."

Hicks has appeared in 24 games over the last two seasons, starting the bowl game in each year. He tallied 30 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2½ sacks.

"He's not feeling his way through things anymore," head coach Mike Elko told reporters of Hicks. "He knows what it means to be a college football player. He got enough of a taste of it for sure last year."

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Elko addresses an unsettling motto

Hicks drew attention during Wednesday's availability for a disturbing comment he made about a motto his teammates say.

Hicks mentioned "C.B.O." as a standard of play he and his teammates aspire to uphold.

"(Last year's defensive line group) really showed us how to be the best D-line we can be with their work ethic and the way they went about their daily business," Hicks said. "We're still trying to stay to our motto, still trying to stay our motto 'C.B.O.,' that's what we stand for..."

When asked about the acronym Hicks, 20, had a troubling response. "Simple terms: Choke a woman out. Let's just say it like that," Hicks said.

When asked directly about Hicks' comment, Elko was stern in opposition and stated it would be "handled."

"It's conveying something that shouldn't be conveyed, so we'll get that handled and addressed," Elko said. "That's absolutely ridiculous that that was stated."

It's unclear how Elko will address the comment.

Texas A&M football: Mike Elko sees spring progress, addresses DJ Hicks' comment (1)

'Moving in the right direction'

Spring practices are valuable and something Elko has mentioned as a key point in time for Aggies' development.

Despite that, the Aggies head coach refrained from making grand proclamations about what they've learned during the first nine practices.

"I'm confident, but it's the middle of spring. I'm confident that we're making the next step. I'm confident that we'll get there," Elko said.

"There's progress. There's always progress. We're moving in the right direction ... I'm happy with how we're working. I'm happy with where we're going. I'm happy with the development and improvement."

The Aggies are allotted 15 total spring practices and have six more scheduled before their spring game on April 19.

A&M's 10th spring practice is Thursday morning. The media will be allowed to view the first 30 minutes of practice.

Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman onFacebookandXfor more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best contentwiththis tremendous offer.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M spring practice: What Mike Elko, DJ Hicks said