SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS

July 18, 2024

Trey Zuhn III

Texas A&M Aggies

Press Conference

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...