Texas A&M 'Aware' of Threat Notre Dame TE Poses

The Texas A&M Aggies defense has a challenge ahead against Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans.

Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans (88) celebrates his touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the fourth quarter in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko is all too familiar with the Notre Dame offense headed into Saturday's season opener at Kyle Field, but it goes beyond his connection with quarterback Riley Leonard.

When speaking with the media Wednesday on the SEC Football Weekly Teleconference, Elko was asked about Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans, who torched Elko's Duke defense last season in a 21-14 win for the Fighting Irish.

Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans (88) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Evans finished with six catches for a career-high 134 yards, and it's safe to say that Elko remembers that night just fine.

"I think he's got really, really good size, and so he becomes a difficult matchup," Elko said. "He runs welll. We had a hard time getting a big-bodied kid on him that was capable of running with him, and so I think that's the challenge that a really good tight end presents. And so obviously we're aware of him, and certainly a kid we're paying a lot of attention to, and a kid that we're going to have to do a much better job stopping this year."

A large chunk of Evans' production came from that game, as he failed to top 75 yards receiving in any other game last season. He finished the 2023 campaign with 29 catches for 422 yards and one touchdown.

Combine his proven ability against an Elko-run defense with Leonard's familiarity against his former head coach, and the Fighting Irish could find themselves with a notable edge Saturday night in College Station.

No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 7 Notre Dame will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.