Max Johnson reveals what it'll take to win the Texas A&M QB competition with Conner Weigman

People are high on Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman as a player who could make things happen in their program. However, he still has to beat out a quarterback that’s pretty good in his own right, as well as experienced, in Max Johnson.

During the Aggie’s media day this weekend, Johnson spoke on what it would take for him to become the QB1 for Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino. To him, it comes down to the usual intangibles of the position such as consistency, decision-making, and leadership.

“I think just consistency, understanding the offense, and making great decisions,” said Johnson. “Knowing when to take that shot and, also, when to check it down. I think being able to lead, lead others in a great way, make others around me better.”

“Coach Petrino will make that decision. Or Coach Fisher. But that’s what I’ve been working on,” Johnson said.

Johnson spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at LSU. Then, after being one of the SEC’s better passers as a sophomore, he elected to transfer to A&M.

Upon his arrival, he lost his initial quarterback competition with the program to Haynes King. However, with how poorly King started the season, Johnson took over by their third game against Miami.

Johnson would start in three straight games, and lead the Aggies to two of their five wins for the season, before breaking a bone in his throwing hand that essentially ended his season. That then led A&M to Weigman.

Still, Johnson is still around and will give plenty of competition to Weigman as they jockey to become the Aggie’s starter. If he wants to earn the gig, though, he will have to show what all that he listed off to the staff, specifically Fisher and Petrino, as well as his teammates during fall camp this month.

Fisher identifies traits he wants to see in A&M’s quarterback competition, addresses timeline

Jimbo Fisher revealed on Wednesday that he is in no rush to name a starting quarterback for Texas A&M.

“They’ll tell you when they’re ready. You’ll see it,” Fisher said.

Both Conner Weigman and Max Johnson gained valuable experience last season and each made multiple starts. However, neither player has done enough yet to be named this year’s starter.

Fisher then detailed what he’ll be looking for to decide the quarterback battle.

“I just want to see them manage the game. I want to see them manage the team,” Fisher said. “People say I want to see them be a game manager – you’ve gotta be a game manager. That’s the greatest compliment you can have. Then the plays you make out of that, understanding situations.”

Fisher added that he wants his quarterbacks to be ‘situational masters’ and make the right play and right decision every time they’re on the field, no matter the situation.

“You’ve gotta understand, it’s third down, it’s red zone, it’s time on the clock, field position, all of the different ways calls change based off of those situations. And being able to get your team in the right play,” Fisher said. “Because at the end of the day, no matter how you do it, the key is to move the football. How do you do it? Get them in the right play, make the right decision, make the right checks, get them organized, give them confidence in the huddle. And then when it’s time for you to physically make the play, you’ve gotta make the right decision and hit what the heck you’re throwing at.”

Having a consistent quarterback is also of utmost importance to Fisher and Texas A&M. Whether it be demeanor, leadership skills or making throws, Fisher wants a QB that is consistent.

“The hardest thing…this is for anybody you work with, is if they’re different every day. How do you approach your boss every day if he’s totally always wanting something different? The same way with a player,” Fisher said. “When a player can play to a great consistency… because listen, that’s what football is. That’s what any sport is. And greatness is measure by consistency and performance over a long period of time. That’s what it is. … We tag greatness on just because of athleticism. That’s not it. It’s your performance and how you execute at your position. And because you’re a great athlete doesn’t mean you’re a great football player. So can they manage the game and be consistent each and every day? And allow the guys around them to function at a high level because of the situations and the decisions they make.”