Jimbo Fisher names Haynes King Texas A&M starting quarterback

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher named Haynes King his starting quarterback on Wednesday, per Jeremy Branham. Fisher broke the news to John Granato and Lance Zierlein on ESPN 97.5 Houston.

King is a 6-foot-3, 200 pound redshirt freshman and a dual-threat player. He had two completions for 59 yards and a touchdown and six rushing attempts for 43 yards last season as a backup to Kellen Mond. 

Redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada was the other potential starter in the mix. Fisher was happy with both options in camp. 

“We’re going back and forth,” Fisher said. “They each get a shot with the ones in practices and scrimmages. I’ve been pleased with both guys. Both guys have made a lot of progress taking care of the ball for the most part pretty well. Occasionally they’ll throw a pick every now and then, but I want them to. You can sit there and say don’t throw picks and then you don’t make any plays. You’ve got to take chances, you got to throw balls, you got to find out what you can and cannot do. I’ve been very pleased with that. There’s been a lot more big plays than there has in any of those situations.”

King will be eased into a daunting SEC West schedule. The Aggies’ start the season with Kent State, Colorado (in Denver) and New Mexico.

Aggies are loaded at the skill positions

Outside of King at quarterback and questions with a largely new offensive line, Texas A&M’s talent at the running back and wide receiver positions is top-notch. 

Fisher told reporters Friday Devon Achane has a chance to be a world class talent. Could the sophomore be the next great Aggie running back?

Achane started to come into his own as a true freshman toward the end of 2020. He finished the regular season with 99 yards rushing against Auburn. He then proceeded to deliver the biggest play of the Orange Bowl: a go-ahead 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

He finished that game with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He was named Orange Bowl MVP. Achane is expected to be a big part of the Aggies backfield again this year along with Isaiah Spiller.

At wide receiver, the Aggies have Ainias Smith and Demond Demas. Tight end and 2020 Mackey Award finalist Jalen Wydermyer also returns to College Station.

Smith led the team in receiving yards last season with 564, while Wydermyer led the Aggies in receptions with 46. Both players recorded six touchdown catches.

Former five-star recruit Demas was rarely used during his freshman season, and the 6-foot-3, 180-pound wide receiver suffered a foot sprain in a running drill in fall camp. He returned to practice yesterday.