York, Zuhn, Turner Make Rounds at SEC Media Day

Taurean York, Trey Zuhn III and Shemar Turner represented the Aggies at 2024 SEC Media Day on Thursday in Dallas…check out video and select quotes from each below.

All transcripts courtesy ASAP Sports and the Southeastern Conference.

Press Conference: Taurean York

Q. Taurean, what's different about the defense this year with Coach Elko and his staff?

TAUREAN YORK: The scheme is a lot for sophisticated. I feel like I've been telling a lot of people, my sophomore year has been harder than my freshman year just because of the level of difficulty of the defense presents itself and the amount of communication that it takes to run the defense.

Q. What did it mean to you when you were named captain to get that affirmation from your teammates how much they value your leadership on the team?

TAUREAN YORK: It means the world that my teammates think that I'm capable of leading them, of course, and granted my age and going into my sophomore year, I am still considered young and an underclassman, but happy that they chose me to lead them throughout the difficulties of the season.

Q. First off, how bad did you beat App State in the video game? I don't know if you have played any of the old ones, but how cool is it to be able to play as yourself and be part of this group of guys that is in the game?

TAUREAN YORK: Well, to answer your first question, it was 14-0 before they pulled me away to do some more interviews. I definitely feel like I got my get-back on App State for that. It's a blessing to be in the video game. To play as yourself, to be on the front page as A&M and to have my teammates and friends back home to be able to play as me as well, I feel like it's a full circle moment for me.

Q. Coming off of that with the video game, Kyle Field was ranked the toughest place to play in the country. Can you speak to your experience obviously getting to play in front of the 12th man and just how difficult it can be for opponents and what makes it so great for y'all?

TAUREAN YORK: I truly do feel like it's the hardest place to play in college football. The 12th man is real. Especially in they're rocking. The atmosphere is there. It presents a challenge for myself as well because obviously they're going to be loud when the opposing offense is on the field and that means my defense is on the field. A lot of games I lost my voice just trying to communicate to my teammates and the defensive players to call. It's a special place to play, so I'm happy to be playing there.

Q. I know you kind of came into your recruiting class a little later on in the cycle and I know you probably would have come in and worked hard regardless, but did you, kind of coming in so late and acclimating to the guys and to the team, did you have an extra sense to really prove to everyone that you were there to do the work and I guess just coming in so late in the process really make that strong impression that kind of carried over?

TAUREAN YORK: Definitely. Obviously I committed late as well, but coming into the class, they welcomed me as if I was already there. I remember when me and Chase Bisontis moved in to Park West on opening day, me and him just went up there to work out, I could tell that he wanted it, and I wanted it as well. Guys like Chase and people who want to work hard, I can respect that a ton.

Q. You played a lot as a true freshman. What are the keys? What kind of advice would you give to somebody who wants to make that kind of impact coming straight into the SEC as a freshman?

TAUREAN YORK: Continue to make strides each and every day regardless of your situation. Be diligent in your work. Definitely know the playbook, know the inside and out. Know all the checks and communications, the adjustments you have to make. Just be ready whenever your opportunity is presented.

Q. You got to play alongside Edgerrin Cooper last year. I'm curious what are some of the biggest lessons you took away from playing alongside him?

TAUREAN YORK: Play fast, play physical. Don't hesitate. Coop played very fast, and he played with bad intentions for the offensive players for sure. Those are the two things I learned from Coop.

Q. You were freshman All American last year. What's it like to be one of the guys representing your team here at media days?

TAUREAN YORK: It's awesome just to have this experience, especially at my young age. It's also a blessing as well, and I just have to continue to put in the work.

Q. What do you foresee Shemar Turner's role looking like on the defense this year?

TAUREAN YORK: A leader for sure. Just having him on the field is a great impact, but I know the energy he brings and the way he runs to the ball is a sight to see, so I'm happy to have him back.

Q. There's a school about an hour south of Temple that's coming to College Station late in November. What do you anticipate that game like to you? I don't know if they were involved in your recruiting process at all, and just with the fan base as well.

TAUREAN YORK: No, they weren't really involved in my recruiting process. I don't think they reached out to me too, too much. Obviously it's a special game for everybody in the state of Texas. We're excited for that game. I know Kyle Field is going to be rocking when that day comes.

Q. Going up against the offense in practice, how have you seen -- in what ways do you feel like they've gotten better from last year?

TAUREAN YORK: I feel like the offensive line is much nastier. Having a guy like Ar'maj Reed-Adams come to the team, he set the standard. He lights a fire underneath all of those guys. I feel like Chase is coming into his own. Mark has gotten better as well. The problems they present us on defense is very hard. They have a lot of new plays that they run, and they run the ball a lot harder. It's a testament to everyone involved on the offense. They got better this spring.

Q. In that vein, certain teammates have talked about the biggest shift in mentality about players holding each other accountable. How have you seen that yourself? How have you seen that in practices and summer workouts?

TAUREAN YORK: Everybody is where they're supposed to be at on time, when they're supposed to be there. Guys are being more receptive to leadership. Guys are open to hearing like Coach Moffitt. Coach Moffitt is one of the experienced guys and won a lot of national championships, so you would be silly to not listen to him.

Q. As a captain and leader on this defensive side of the ball, how have you seen transfers like Nic Scourton and Scooby Williams gel with that unit?

TAUREAN YORK: They gel perfectly. Almost as if they have been there since day one. Even guys like Cashius Howell, they all came in here not with a big head. They just want to help the team win any way they can.

Q. You have a defensive-minded head coach now. What's it been like having both of those guys to kind of talk with and learn from over the past six months?

TAUREAN YORK: Just the amount of detail that they have in the defense and the communication, like I mentioned previously. Like I said, it's a much different defense, much more sophisticated. It's wonky in a sense, but I know it works because it's very complex.

Q. Talking about Conner, you talked about the offense a little bit. What are you seeing in him as far as taking that next step?

TAUREAN YORK: The next step, being a leader. I know for the 4th of July break that we had, he had all the receivers up there in Austin at Lake Travis I think, and had he spent the whole week together. They lifted weights and spent a lot of time together, so I feel like that was definitely a big chemistry boost when it comes to him and the receivers.

Q. What were some of the biggest lessons you learned going through your first collegiate season and the SEC? What kind of advice have you given maybe some of the freshmen or transfers that have come here for the first time?

TAUREAN YORK: For starters I feel like the game is never over until it's over in the SEC. I feel like it's always a dogfight no matter the score. You have to finish games. I feel like we lost a lot of games that were one-possession games that we had the opportunity to close out, and we didn't. That's a main focus for us. Guys like freshmen coming in, like I said, savor every day and make the most of it. Be as predictive as you can. The game can wait. The parties can wait, if I'm being frank. You have to focus on yourself and be the best version that you can be.

Q. You said a couple of times the defense is complicated, sophisticated. Without giving away any trade secrets, of course, is your role changing at all? What can we see from you?

TAUREAN YORK: Same old linebacker making every call.

Press Conference: Trey Zuhn III

Q. What's the difference for you on the offense with the new coaching staff? 

TREY ZUHN: I love all of the new coaching staff. They're so detail-oriented and their playbook is just -- there's so much -- there's so many ways for our playmakers to be able it make plays. So I'm just happy to get going this season. 

Q. Your parents are Aggies. I was going to ask you how a guy from Colorado is feeling this rivalry renewed? I guess you have a little inside track.

TREY ZUHN: I was born and raised an Aggie, so I've heard about the tradition from my parents and my grandparents. So I'm so excited for it. I actually have a Longhorn hanging in my room. It happens to be upside down, but... (laughing). Don't let a referee in there.

Q. You kind of touched on it a little bit, but I mean, what kind of anticipation is there for you to get to play in this game and among A&M fans, how exciting is it that game is going to be at home?

TREY ZUHN: Right. Being at Kyle Field, any game at Kyle Field is an amazing experience, especially with the Texas game. I can't wait for it. The crowd, they're going to be at 110%. Everyone has bought in for it. The buzz is crazy. I just can't wait to get out there and win.

Q. Your teammate Taurean York was upstairs playing against App State in the new college football game. Have you had the chance to play? What are your thoughts? Even maybe your rating on EA Sports.

TREY ZUHN: That's all I've been playing the past couple of days. Playing against my buddies on the team. Everybody is trying to get each other on their ultimate teams. There's been a great time playing that game, so it's been awesome.

Q. You will open up against Notre Dame. How has that impacted the way you guys approach this offseason and has it sharpened the way you guys kind of approach training in the summer?

TREY ZUHN: Our opponent is faceless, so we're training every single day to be our best selves, and we're going to go out there and puts our best foot forward and playing to the best of our ability.

Q. Recently you were named Offensive Captain for the Aggies. Can you speak on how it feels to be named the captain and kind of what kind of makes you a leader for this roster?

TREY ZUHN: Right. It's just a huge honor to be named captain, to be able to represent my team and my teammates. It's just such a privilege to have that voice, and it's really changed me as a leader. I've mostly been leading by example these past couple of years, but now being captain I've really focused on being more of a vocal leader and reaching out to every player on the field, not just the offensive line.

Q. What's it like going against Shemar Turner every day in practice?

TREY ZUHN: It's a good time for the most part. We're getting each other better. He's such a great player. I've learned so much from him. I've beat him a couple of times. We go back and forth. It's so much fun getting better every single day and playing against him.

Q. Obviously you haven't played a game yet, but so far what's been the biggest change from Coach Fisher to Coach Elko?

TREY ZUHN: I would say Coach Elko's stance on accountability, making sure everybody is where they need to be. They're where they need to be when they need to be there. If you can't trust somebody to be in class or on time to meetings, you can't trust them on the field. So that's really something he has cracked down on and made a point of.

Q. Can you talk about the returners on the offensive line from last season? Talk about the work that y'all put in this offseason to really get to an improved state for this season.

TREY ZUHN: Right. We've put in a ton of work, and just having that much experience on the offensive line now, it's going to be huge. We've been able to gel together these past couple of months, working hard, competing against each other in the weight room and on the field. If we're running a sprint or an IC, for example, Marc or Chase kind of catching up to me, I'll give it that extra 2%. Just that competition where we're making each other better and making ourselves better.

Q. NCAA football named Kyle Field the toughest environment to play in. In your experience just what is it about Kyle Field and the 12th man that makes it so difficult for opponents and so great for y'all for home games?

TREY ZUHN: The 12th man, they're the best fans out there. They always come rain or shine, 110%. Walking on to that field, it never gets old. I remember the first time walking on there as a freshman, it's still the same feeling walking on there as a junior or senior. I just can't wait to get back on the field.

Q. You mentioned the accountability under Coach Elko. What are some of the words that I guess people once they play you, how are they going to describe a Mike Elko program?

TREY ZUHN: We're going to be the most disciplined program and the toughest program. We're going to get to work every single day. We bust our butts, and it's going to show on the field.

Q. A&M has been challenging for greatness in the SEC, but hasn't really been as consistent as they want to be. Do you feel like even with a coaching change you guys can maybe surprise some people and get that level of success that you are looking for?

TREY ZUHN: Oh, 100%. The sky is our limit this season. We've had some disappointing years in the past, and we just use that as fuel. It makes us work harder every single day. I can't wait for this season. We're going to show people who we are.

Q. How has the numerous quarterback injuries affected your offensive line going forward? The numerous injuries to your quarterbacks the past seasons, how has that impacted your offensive line going forward?

TREY ZUHN: We really need to work harder and make sure that the guy behind us, whoever it is, is protected 100%. So we really take that on personally, and it makes us work harder, and no matter who is behind us, they're going to be safe and make the plays they need to make.

Q. A former teammate of yours, Isaiah Raikes makes the transfer to Auburn. What kind of player is Auburn getting and are you looking forward to seeing a former teammate when you head to the stadium?

TREY ZUHN: I love Raikes. He is a great player, great guy. Sad to see him go. Auburn definitely got a good player there. We definitely got guys on our team who are just as good or better, and they're going to be quite the deal to take care of for other teams, so...

Press Conference: Shemar Turner

Q. Shemar, there's been a lot of talk today about Mike Elko's first year kind of bringing accountability within the program. What would you attribute kind of your guys' mentality of holding each other accountable and kind of putting your heads down and going to work, that kind of mentality?

SHEMAR TURNER: So, yeah, our mentality switched a lot from the beginning because at first we was, like, man, why is he doing all this? But once we started to see the big picture behind it, our mentality switched. So we've been on each other heavy about everything. It could be the smallest, hey, nobody is missing breakfast, nobody is missing dinner, nobody is missing none of that. No matter how minuscule you think it is, get there. I feel like we've been doing a pretty good job of keeping that mentality, staying consistent with the accountability.

Q. Do players like to be coached that way?

SHEMAR TURNER: Yes, yes, yes. If you are a guy that loves the sport of football, you love being coached hard. It don't matter what it is. It can be on and off the field. Like I said, it can be missing breakfast. I want a coach on me if I miss anything, and I don't miss nothing.

Q. I heard earlier you call Coach Elko a magician. Can you expand on that, why you call him that and what he has done to this defense?

SHEMAR TURNER: Just how smart he is and the plays and stuff like that he is able to draw up to create certain one-on-ones and to get one-on-ones across the board. Sending one or two extra guys or maybe even not sending them. Twisting into a one-on-one. Something like that. Just his ability, like his defensive-minded ability to set stuff up.

Q. You talk about getting accustomed to the new coaching staff. What is it like meshing with the new transfers on the team? Of course, there's a lot of them. How has it been getting accustomed to them and getting them part of the team?

SHEMAR TURNER: I feel like the transition was pretty easy because all of them came in. Everybody was pretty much cool. Nobody came in like hostile and nothing like that. Everybody was talkative. Nic, Cashius, all of them, it wasn't nothing to bring them and treat them like family from day one.

Q. What are some of the major differences in the overall attitude of the locker room this season compared to last?

SHEMAR TURNER: Man, just, I would say the work ethic. It's changed in everyone. It's not just a handful of people on both sides of the ball that really, really want to win and really, really want to be great at the sport of football. I feel like everybody's mentality is switching over now because Elko harps being hardworking and he harps relationships and stuff like that with your teammates so much. I feel like it's made everybody work harder for each other and not only for themselves. You're not there for yourself no more.

Q. It seems pretty rare that you find a true sophomore that's a captain. What do you notice about Taurean in practice and on game day and how much he's meant to the team, just in a year-and-a-half or so?

SHEMAR TURNER: Man, the respect he got since he was a freshman is crazy. Just the way he approaches the game, he loves the sport of football. He watches film. He's always in his playbook. He attacks workouts like it's the Super Bowl. Just having a guy like that at that young of an age is crazy. He gained the respect of everybody quickly.

Q. One of your former teammates transferred to Auburn. Isaiah Raikes. What kind of player is Auburn getting in your former teammate, Isaiah Raikes?

SHEMAR TURNER: They're going to get somebody that's going to go every day. I love Raikes to death. Raikes is going to work his butt off every day, and Raikes is going to give his all every day. They can expect a guy that's going to come out there and produce for them at a very high level consistently.

Q. Your defensive line is a deep talented unit. You all pride yourselves on the rest of the defense can do their job, but as a unit taking on maybe responsibility that we can keep single-handedly our team and games -- if we can do our job, it makes all the other units being able to flourish even more and kind of taking on that burden a little bit as a group with how talented you are?

SHEMAR TURNER: Oh, yes, sir. We take that full-on. We love having that on our back, man, being able to go in and you can really cancel a team out just with your defensive line. It's crazy. So, yes, sir, that's one thing we do love about being here at A&M having all these guys with us, being able to have that mentality of we can go in this game and win this game right here. We can do it. We love it.

Q. What are your first impressions of the EA Sports video game?

SHEMAR TURNER: (Laughing.) It's fun. To me, personally, it's way more realistic than Madden, so that's one thing I did love. Linebackers play everything now. I love NCAA. Every day.

Q. Coach talked about how this has been a pretty quiet offseason. How do you think this offseason compares to maybe those that you have experienced years past with Coach Fisher?

SHEMAR TURNER: It's a lot of unnecessary talking when you can be working. Just that right there pretty much is just putting your head down and working, grinding, and going 100% every day, getting better.

Q. To go back to the video game, are you happy with your rating? 

SHEMAR TURNER: Initially I thought I was going to be a little higher, but I'm not mad with it. Overall it's not bad to me, and it won't be 88 the whole season, so... (laughing).

Q. Who would you say is the best gamer on the team? Are you as competitive in this as you are on the field?

SHEMAR TURNER: The best gamer? Me. Overall, me. Madden, me. NCAA, me, probably. I might be a little too competitive on the game. That's my problem.

Q. What were you big factors in leading you to decide to come back to Texas A&M after all the changes following last season? 

SHEMAR TURNER: One, was having a conversation with my mother and how me and her wanted to come up with a plan for me to graduate before I left college. So getting my Aggie ring and my degree was a big part of me coming back here to A&M. And two, was the conversations I had with Elko. Everything he was saying was making sense. I had stuff on and off the field to fix to higher my draft grade. If I can boost my stock in any kind of way, come back and do better, I will. So that's what my mentality was coming back.

Q. What would you give your overall rating as a gamer, if you had to give yourself an overall rating for gaming purposes?

SHEMAR TURNER: One out of ten –

Q. No, out of 99, just like the game. You are 88 overall in the game as a player. How would you rate yourself as an overall rating as a gamer?

SHEMAR TURNER: Oh, as a gamer? Oh, probably like a 98. I think a 98 because when I start games, I'm not as good at them, but I pick up quick on whatever. Probably like a 98 (laughing).