Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher Calls Aggies QB Battle 'Open Competition'
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COLLEGE STATION -- Conner Weigman sliced and diced Ole Miss' secondary last October for Texas A&M football. He helped the Aggies grab a win against No. 5 LSU to close the season on a high note.
On paper, Weigman looks primed to be the starter for the Aggies in 2023. For now, A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is leaving the door open for a battle at the game's most influential position.
"Every position is an open competition," Fisher said Monday. "It's what spring is about. Nobody has anything. I don't care what position you are. You have to prove yourself each and every day."
Weigman, a five-star prospect from Bridgeland High School in Cypress (Texas), could be the most complete prospect Fisher has had since arriving in College Station in 2017. He started four games to end the 2022 campaign and impressed, throwing for 898 yards and eight touchdowns.
In his first career start, Weigman proved he could sling it, throwing for 338 yards and four scores against the Rebels in a 31-28 loss. Against LSU, his numbers were more pedestrian, but he still managed to toss a pair of touchdowns en route to a 38-23 upset.
Weigman's main competition looks to be former LSU starter, Max Johnson. Last season, Johnson took over for initial 2022 starter Haynes King in Week 3 and led the Aggies to a 2-1 record, with back-to-back wins over Miami and Arkansas. He threw for 517 yards and three touchdowns and likely would have remained the starter for the remainder of the year if not for a season-ending hand injury suffered against Mississippi State in Week 5.
The Aggies also have 2023 dual-threat option Marcel Reed in the mix. A four-year starter at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville (Tenn.), Reed threw for 6,357 yards with 62 passing TDs. He also rushed for 2,277 yards with 38 rushing scores.
"The guys that play with the most consistency will be the guys that play," Fisher said. "I don't care if it's quarterback, running back, [offensive line], [defensive line], safety, kicker, snapper, all the way across the board. It's about one thing: competition."
Weigman could have a slight advantage entering the first spring practice due to his chemistry with the young receiving corp. Former five-star Evan Stewart became a focal point of the passing game late in the year, hauling in 13 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown from Weigman in three games. Fellow freshman Noah Thomas totaled five catches for 51 yards and two scores in the final four games with Weigman commanding the offense.
"The quarterback role isn't easy for anybody, especially a freshman and the way that he attacked the whole situation was definitely impressive to me," senior receiver Ainias Smith said of Weigman. "The poise that he had back there... he seemed really relaxed, and at the same time, he seemed upbeat.
"His arm is looking real nice. He's ready. He's eager to go."
Weigman and Johnson will have 15 practices to prove their worth as QB1 before A&M's annual Maroon and White game on April 15. Even then, Fisher likely won't publicly announce his starter for the impending year until closer to A&M's season opener against New Mexico on September 2.
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