Does Max Johnson's Spring Game Performance Open Door For Aggies QB Competition?
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COLLEGE STATION -- It could have been easy for Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher to make it official when spring football began. While two quarterbacks entered the offseason with playing experience, one was left in the minds of fans as March came rolling through.
Conner Weigman, the five-star prospect from Cypress (Texas), made sure to leave A&M fans wanting more. He wasn't a one-game wonder following his four-TD performance against Ole Miss. And while the production never was duplicated, his win over No. 5 LSU was the sales pitch for Wegiman's role as the long-term starter to become real.
But Fisher's way of handling job titles is different. Every year, one must earn the label and ensure that the incumbent challenger remains waiting in the wings.
For once, Fisher was right to leave the starting quarterback job up for grabs this spring. And while Weigman might end up earning the title before Week 1's matchup against New Mexico, Max Johnson showed Saturday during the annual Maroon and White game that he won't be going down without a fight.
"They're two competitors. They're always going to want to keep battling each other," Fisher said following the white team's 33-19 win. "You're glad you have two guys capable of making plays like that... both of them came to shine."
Weigman and Johnson were impressed with the maroon and white offenses Saturday on a half-sized Kyle Field. The same style of reps either quarterback received in practice was displayed in front of the few thousand Aggie faithful looking for a preview of what to expect come next season.
Johnson, who took over for Haynes King in Week 3, didn't waste time making his presence felt for the first time since early October. On second-and-6, the redshirt junior uncorked a 52-yard touchdown pass to freshman Micah Tease to give the white team an early 6-3 lead.
"I'm really pleased at where we are at receiver," Fisher of the addition of Tease. "We still could add a little more depth, hopefully, get in the portal and maybe find a couple of guys who also can get into the rotation and play."
Weigman started last season out of need, not lack of talent. Johnson, who transferred from LSU the previous offseason, likely would have kept the QB1 title following a 2-1 start that featured wins over then-No. 13 Miami and then-No. 10 Arkansas in the Southwest Classic if not for a season-ending hand injury suffered against Mississippi State in Week 5.
King, who transferred to Georgia Tech this offseason, never regained his early 2021 confidence after returning to the starting role against Alabama, leading to Weigman's eventual promotion.
Johnson might have been the talk of Saturday, but it's not as if Weigman slouched his way through reps. After tossing a second-quarter interception, Weigman responded in the fourth quarter with a 28-yard score to freshman Pierce Turner.
Last season in five games, Weigman tossed eight touchdowns against zero picks in five games while completing 55.3 percent of his throws.
"Both of them came back and battled after they had some mistakes and had some things go wrong," Fisher said. "That's part of the game and I think both showed a lot of maturity in that way."
Weigman's late-season success might have changed the narrative on A&M's quarterback battle. Johnson likely gained some followers after his efforts working with several backups and first-year players most of the afternoon.
"Those guys have been working on their game a whole lot," safety Bryce Anderson said. "Those guys are coming in day in and day out to compete. Like [Shemar Turner] was saying, they bring swagger to the game."
Consistency was on Johnson's side as he delivered strike after strike. He connected with tight end Fernando Garza for an 11-yard score with 2:26 remaining in the first half. Johnson found Ainias Smith in the game's closing seconds for a gain of 38, which eventually was overturned for a touchdown to put the maroon roster down by 14.
"Connecting downfield is one area where both of them are improving," Smith said. "They were already great at that, but it's starting to look a little more consistent. On top of that, they're voicing their opinions. They're voicing how they feel the team should be going, and that has improved a whole lot this year.
"The attitude that they have toward winning has really improved."
Anderson said in practice, the two often would place bets against one another to see who would have a better day. The duo also holds themselves to a different standard.
One with swagger. One with a hunger to win.
"Those guys are developing daily like crazy because they're competing with each other," Turner echoed. "How they carry themselves on the field is huge."
Fisher wouldn't name a starter during his press conference; not like he ever planned to since the program is entering a three-month window for improvement. This year, however, he might need to wait. Neither Weigman nor Johnson seems ready to lay down and let the other step into the spotlight.
Weigman won over the fan base for his heroics last fall. Johnson, however, never lost ground away from the starting role. And the result? A promising season ahead for the Aggies at the game's most crucial position.
Competition is something Fisher preaches non-stop. He has it with the two men fighting for the title QB1 well past the bell entering the third and final round.
Said Fisher: "One thing I've been most happy about this whole spring is the energy in practice and the attitude of the guys to be coached...I think we have a chance to have a very good football team."
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