(Photo credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images)

Texas A&M was the last program to take its turn at Southeastern Conference media days this week in Atlanta, but the main buzz around the Aggies of late has been about a player who isn't on their roster.

Standout defensive lineman Shemar Stewart had a productive three-year career at Texas A&M before declaring for the NFL Draft and being selected in the first round (17th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals. However, not only has Stewart not signed his rookie contract yet as training camp approaches, he has openly criticized the Bengals' front office during the process.

Stewart has been working out with his former teammates in College Station this summer, igniting speculation that he would reject the Bengals in favor of returning to college -- an unprecedented move, should it happen. But coach Mike Elko threw water on that Thursday.

'There's no intentions of Shemar to play for the Aggies this year,' Elko told ESPN. 'But Shemar has been around. He's very comfortable in our program. Really likes what we do training-wise. He's been training, getting ready for his season this year with the Bengals. We wish him the best.'

Stewart had 65 tackles (12 for loss), 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 37 games at Texas A&M.

The beat goes on, and the Aggies are working on their plans for 2025 after an 8-5 campaign in Elko's first season on the job. They were 7-1 to start the year and ranked as highly as No. 10 in the AP poll before losing three of four to end the regular season, followed by a loss to Southern California in the Las Vegas Bowl.

'I think you have to go through some of that sometimes,' Elko said in his press conference Thursday. 'As painful as it is, as it was for us and our fans and everyone involved, we had never been in that position before. We had never been the hunted team. We had never been in November competing for an opportunity to get into (the SEC title game) with our destiny in our own hands.'

Elko shone a spotlight on quarterback Marcel Reed, who wrested the starting job from Conner Weigman during the 2024 season and returns with more of a foundation under him.

'I think this year he goes into the often season clearly established as our starting quarterback,' Elko said. 'I think that allows him to really impact the team with his personality. He's an energetic personality. He's a guy that people want to play for and want to play with.

'We had some success recruiting wide receivers in the transfer portal in large part because we encouraged them to come out to bowl practice and watch Marcel. They would come out and watch him, be like, 'I want to play with that guy.''

--Field Level Media