Highlighting Conner Weigman's strengths, weaknesses heading into Auburn

Conner Weigman was a five-star prospect coming out of high school per the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Texas A&M is hoping he can play up to it this season as they hope to bounce back from a 5-7 record last year. Through three games, there have been mixed results.

On3’s Clark Brooks broke down where Wegiman’s strengths have shown up and where there have also been a few struggles. Brooks has not been too impressed with the arm talent, something most teams would hope their quarterback possesses. But thankfully, Weigman has been strong in a place you would not expect from a young QB in the SEC.

“I’m not the biggest fan of his arm talent but that’s only one aspect to quarterback play,” Brooks said during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “A lot of it is cerebral, what’s going on between the ears, being able to diagnose things. Get people lined up, knowing who’s open, and being able to decipher ball placement.”

Part of the reason Clark believes Weigman’s mental side has improved so much has been because of coaching. Jimbo Fisher has always been thought of as an offensive mind but Bobby Petrino also made his way to College Station this offseason. Results have already come through, with Weigman completing 25 of 29 passing against ULM on Saturday.

“He’s been very well coached this offseason,” Brooks said. “Knowing where to look and even though — yes, he’s been pressured, he’s been beaten — He’s still back there and he has not been broken yet. Last time I checked, I think he broke a completion percentage record for Texas A&M over the weekend.”

Now, Brooks does not fully believe the accuracy is fully there. It could be an area where Weigman slowly improves throughout the 2023 season. He has not even played a full season as a starting quarterback and will have plenty of time to develop.

What’s helping Weigman is the talented Texas A&M wide receivers. Evan Stewart, Ainias Smith, and Noah Thomas — just to name three — have been great for the Aggies thus far. Weigman’s job has been to distribute the ball and let the receivers make plays.

“Yes, while his down-to-down premium accuracy is not sharp, he throws a very catchable ball. He gives his immensely talented wide receivers chances to make plays.”

Miami has been the hardest game on Texas A&M’s schedule early in the season. However, it occurred on the road and did not go in favor of the Aggies. Two lower-level nonconference matchups have taken place at Kyle Field.

Auburn on Saturday is going to be a different kind of test for Weigman. Brooks will be looking to see if the same results show up with an improved defense coming to College Station.

“They may have not beaten up against bad defenses at home,” Brooks said. “And Auburn is going to be a tick-up in the degree of difficulty department. Just because of how he has been a fantastic decision-maker and not really throwing the ball into harm’s way… Even if I am a little bit weary of his process, he is not throwing interceptables and he’s still giving his guys great opportunities to make plays.”