Kirk Herbstreit heaps praise on Texas A&M's Marcel Reed: 'He is a real damn quarterback'

Kirk Herbstreit has a ton of confidence in Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed ahead of the Aggies’ clash with the Texas Longhorns in Week 14.

Ahead of ESPN’s broadcast of College GameDay from College Station, Herbstreit heaped some praise on Reed, believing he’s much more than a gadget-type player, and the real deal for the Aggies under center.

“I’ve had so much fun watching him grow,” Herbstreit said, regarding Reed via SportsCenter. “My son’s played with him at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, so I’ve watched him play. He took over the starting job in ninth grade. It’s tough. I think that’s one of the toughest things to do. What are you, 14 years old, and you’re out there playing in big boy football, and high school football. He did it. So when I saw him able to do that, I just thought, ‘Boy, this kid’s got such a bright future.’

“Just so natural in his ability to run this offense. I think, now that he’s gotten some experience at the premier level in college, he’s going to get better every single week. He’s reading coverages. Kid can throw the football. If you think he’s just back there to be able to be a zone-read guy, because of the way he got introduced to a lot of people against LSU, obviously, they’ve changed. Collin Klein has done a nice job as the play caller, who’s come over from Kansas State. He’s very comfortable with this skill set. Using a quarterback that can do so many different things.”

Continuing, Herbstreit explained that while Reed may be supremely talented and capable of leading Texas A&M, the Longhorns’ defense aren’t slouches, and he’ll have to be careful on Saturday evening.

“It’s going to be a challenge for Texas, you know, because that style of offense, when a quarterback can do that, really changes how you defend an offense,” Herbstreit added. “And you know, you’re going to have to come up with ways to take him away in the run game, and take away his ability to create and scramble. But he is a real damn quarterback. Young guy that’s getting better. He will — the moment will not be too big for him in his rivalry game, with this atmosphere. He’s one of those guys that plays his best in those kinds of atmospheres. 

“Really it’s going to be the guys around him, how well they play. This Texas defense — now, they have not been tested the way they will in this game, and down the road, but boy, they pass every test, when you look at their ability, at all three levels. They’re an elite defense.”

Time will tell if Marcel Reed and the Aggies can get the job done against Texas. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will air live from inside Kyle Field on ABC and ESPN+.