Aggies QB Conner Weigman 'Comfortable' in Petrino Offense
Ahead of Texas A&M Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher's sixth season in College Station, there remains one top question regarding the team: what will the quarterback position look like?
Almost instinctively, most fans will answer that question simply. Rising sophomore Conner Weigman will start and senior transfer Max Johnson will be his backup. Done and easy, right?
Not exactly. There remains to be a clear starting quarterback for Texas A&M, which is a good thing. Both Weigman and Johnson are putting in all of the necessary work to secure the spot themselves, but because of their talent, the competition is open. And for Weigman specifically, that only makes his Aggieland journey even more impressive.
Coming in for an injured Haynes King last season was a less-than-ideal beginning for Weigman. Not only was it sudden and unexpected, but it was also difficult to be thrown into a role typically reserved for upperclassmen or absolutely astounding freshman
That's not a knock on Weigman. He certainly is astounding, but he also came in behind an experienced veteran who was expected to take the Aggies to the next level.
"Last year coming in ... any freshman, your head is spinning," Weigman told the Houston Chronicle. "You don't know what's going on. You're trying to figure it out."
Figure it out might be an understatement, but that didn't stop Weigman from putting up impressive numbers in his limited appearances. By the end of the season, the freshman had completed 73 passes for 896 total yards and eight touchdowns — a promising stat line — but still with room to grow.
That growth has become even more apparent this offseason as Weigman prepares for what could be his first full season as the Aggies' starter. But despite becoming more familiar with the system — and with the fans — Weigman still prefers to live on the down-low.
Depending on how that shakes out for him next season, that may not be possible for too long. But regardless, Weigman will be focusing on improvements and playing under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who recently set the tone for the Aggies' new-look offense ahead of next season.
Apart from Petrino, however, Weigman says he's already noticed a difference in his own game, which should set him up nicely to make an impact for the Aggies if he's awarded the starting position.
"To be able to be comfortable [now] within the offense and know what's going on - know the checks, know the run checks, the pass protections, and know where you're going with the ball, it's been a crazy difference from where I was a year ago," Weigman told the Houston Chronicle.
Weigman may not have the starting job just yet, but if he takes that new knowledge with him into the season and the rest of the offseason, he very well could be the Aggies' top option at quarterback in less than a month. And he'll be ready.
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