With Texas A&M Football‘s Spring Game approaching Saturday, it has been anything but a quiet offseason in College Station. From landing the number one recruiting class in the country to Jimbo Fisher having to deal with media critics and Sliced Bread on how he landed that class, it will be no secret that his men will be hit with massive expectations within the next few seasons, if not now.
With Zach Calzada on his way to Auburn, the quarterback battle in Southeast Texas will be among the most intense in college football as we approach the 2022 season. From a few seasoned veterans to fresh faces, Jimbo might as well be dealing with his biggest decision since leading the Aggies’ charge in 2018 and these are the three who will be getting the most attention as we go through spring and towards fall camps.
Getting to know Texas A&M Football’s 2022 quarterback room
#13 Haynes King (Sophomore)
One of the favorites to enter the season with the starting job in hand, Haynes King suffered a season ending ankle injury in only his second start vs Colorado in 2021 that saw Zach Calzada become the lead signal caller for the Ags.
A former high school All American from Longview, Texas, Haynes King was brought into College Station to be a playmaker as a dual threat quarterback to help the run game and make plays with his legs.
One redshirt and one injury plagued season later, this might be Haynes King’s last chance to win the starting job as Jimbo Fisher’s signal caller.
#14 Max Johnson (Junior)
The other favorite to win the starting job, the LSU transfer will be teaming up with his younger brother, tight end Jake Johnson. Max will be the player with the highest pedigree in the quarterback room, considering that he will have the most college football experience out of anyone on this list.
Fresh off an impressive 2021 season, Max threw 27 touchdowns to six picks in 12 games as LSU had to fight through a grueling yet underwhelming season. While he may not light up the scoreboard the same way Bryce Young will, he is still a reliable passer of the ball who won’t turn it over and can lead the offense down the field.
Considering that he finished 2021 with a higher yardage, touchdown count, completion percentage, and fewer picks than Zach Calzada, he will no doubt already be an upgrade in Jimbo’s offense.
#15 Conner Weigman (Freshman)
Flipping back and forth with fellow Texan Cade Klubnik for the title of No. 1 pocket passer in the country for 2022, Conner Weigman might as well be the most intriguing prospect in not just the Texas A&M quarterback room, but among all young quarterbacks in the country.
What makes Conner’s situation so interesting is there is legitimate argument that he is the most talented quarterback in College Station, however a starting gig for 2022 is the last thing from guaranteed. The fact that recruiting sites call him a pocket passer is downright insulting to describe his game, as he is more than capable to extend plays with his feet and look for open men down the field.
The true freshman out of Bridgeland High School in Cypress, Texas, Conner will be looking to make a statement in the offseason to overcome the odds of winning the quarterback battle and putting his two main superiors onto the bench. A silky-smooth passer who has a touch as soft as butter, Conner has a very bright future in this game even if he doesn’t win the job this fall.
One key note that should be followed for the future is his #1 target at Bridgeland was Andrew Maleski, who joined the Aggies football team as a walk on.
Jimbo Fisher will almost certainly be spoiled for choice for picking his signal caller.
My gut feeling to win the job as of now is Max Johnson, followed by Haynes King and Conner Weigman. Max Johnson feels like the safe pick with his experience, the consistency, the leadership, he has the qualities that the Aggies offense severely lacked in 2022.
However, if Conner Weigman goes into the fall red hot, slinging balls with authority, don’t be surprised if he leads the charge for not just the season opener, but for all of the 2022 season. Almost like another Aggies freshman in 2012, ten years on the dot.