Texas A&M coach Mike Elko's advice to his struggling quarterback Marcel Reed: 'Relax and play'

COLLEGE STATION - Marcel Reed took over as Texas A&M 's quarterback full time two years ago when he replaced Conner Weigman and led the Aggies to a 38-23 victory over LSU .

Since that game on Oct. 26, 2024, Reed has led Texas A&M to the program's first College Football Playoff appearance and produced only the second 11-win season this century.

But Reed's start to 2026 hasn't been ideal as he has struggled with consistency going into this week's game at LSU .

Coach Mike Elko said there's a "plethora of things" that could explain Reed's inconsistent start. But there's one thing he feels is at the top of the list.

"I think probably more than anything, it's a kid who's pressing," Elko said after Saturday's loss to Kentucky . "There's a lot of noise. He feels like he's got to defend himself a lot. That's not an excuse, but that's the reality."

Elko said the "pressing" is visible, and can be seen in his throws. Reed's accuracy against Kentucky was scattershot, missing multiple easy throws, including a layup fourth-down toss that would have moved the chains for the Aggies.

Instead, Kentucky got the ball back and soon scored to go up 28-7. Texas A&M would lose 31-21.

After Saturday's loss to the Wildcats, Reed talked about both the physical and the mental side of his game. He noted his problems feel more mental than physical at this point, and that is something he can change going forward.

"The way for me to get out of that is just calm myself down and obviously tell myself I can make those throws because I know I can make those throws and just do it," Reed said.

Elko also said there's also things he and the coaching staff can do to help unlock Reed and get him to stop pressing. He noted that Reed has played well in two-minute drill situations.

"I've got to get him mentally to a place where he can really cut it loose and feel free and play," Elko said. "I think that more than anything right now is the issue with him. It's like a pitcher sometimes who struggles to throw strikes. It's just growing on him, and he's got to be able to relax and play the way he's capable of."

Through the first three games of the season, Reed is 62 of 104 (59.6%) with 632 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions plus another 117 yards on the ground.

But it hasn't been all bad to start the season. Reed has played really well for stretches during the first quarter of the season.

Wide receiver Mario Craver also said Reed is a better player than he was last year.

"He's got a lot better," Craver said. "I'm not gonna back on that. He's definitely got a lot better in every aspect of the game."

The offense also has been without some of its key playmakers. Wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman and running back Jamarion Morrow both missed the Kentucky game. Wide receiver and returner Terry Bussey suffered a season-ending injury on the first play of the game versus the Wildcats and then running back KJ Edwards got hurt as well.

That's two of the team's top three running backs and two of their top four wide receivers gone from Reed's disposal.

LSU presents as good of an opportunity for Reed to reset as any going forward. The first road game of the year against a team he's beaten twice in the past two years, albeit one with a new coaching staff and roster.

It won't be easy by any means but Elko believes in Reed.

"I have a lot of confidence in Marcel," Elko said. "I believe in Marcel. Marcel is our quarterback."