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Jimbo Fisher reveals where Texas A&M quarterback competition stands

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly08/21/23

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(Daniel Dunn/Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

The battle between Max Johnson and Conner Weigman to be the Texas A&M starting quarterback continues to roll on.

Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher provided an update on where things stand Monday afternoon with the opener against New Mexico only 12 days away. Fisher and the rest of the Texas A&M staff got a good look at Johnson and Weigman over the weekend during a scrimmage. Fisher shared what he saw.

“Yea, I mean it’s still going. We haven’t announced anything yet. But very pleased with both guys,” Fisher said. “Both guys had really good moments on the day, made big plays, made consistent plays. We executed on third down, made plays in the red-zone, made plays in two-minute – and also coming off the goal line. You know, how comfortable do you feel with what you’ve put on their back when you’re backed up and things like that. So we did those things. I was very pleased.”

Fisher wasn’t just pleased with his top two contenders. He also liked what he saw from other quarterbacks on the roster.

Eventually, Texas A&M will have to name a starter. But it’s clear that Fisher feels good about multiple options at quarterback.

“Our two young guys are developing very well. [Jaylen] Henderson and Marcel [Reed] I thought really did a nice job in how they’re developing and what they’re doing, too,” Fisher said. “And our walk-on Dallas [Novicke] has done a great job. I’ll tell you, we’re blessed to have him, too.”

Paul Finebaum breaks down why he’s confident in Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher this season

There are plenty of unknowns about Texas A&M heading into the 2023 season, including who the Aggies starting quarterback will be.

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Still, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum has confidence in Jimbo Fisher and his squad.

“I’m very confident with A&M,” Finebaum said on Monday’s episode of ‘McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.’ “It’s quite remarkable how you can have one of the most embarrassing seasons in modern history, losing at home to Appalachian State, just finding all kinds of different ways to blow games, nobody really gets too upset, and you start the next season in the Top 25. I don’t know if that’s reflective of how absurd the Top 25 poll is or something else.”

The Aggies certainly didn’t live up to expectations last season. The team went 5-7, including 2-6 in conference play. The disappointing record was a stark contrast to fans’ expectations.

Nonetheless, Finebaum claims Fisher escaped criticism this offseason due to the addition of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

“Jimbo Fisher has literally gone up and bought a mulligan for last season like he’s playing at a Monday event,” Finebaum said. “I give him credit. He brings in Bobby Petrino and that’s all we talk about. A guy who has literally been run out of the industry and now he’s the savior. I mean I’m impressed. … I feel pretty good about them.”