Mike Elko addresses quarterback depth chart, room for change

Mike Elko took time to evaluate Texas A&M’s quarterback depth chart and has an idea of how it’ll go.

But, the Aggies signal callers still have to battle it out to determine who is under center in the season opener. Conner Weigman is the incumbent starter, but he has to fend off transfer Jaylen Henderson and redshirt freshman Marcell Reed.

As Elko put it, Weigman earned the right to be No. 1, at least right now.

“Yeah, I think and I said this and I want to make sure that it is said the right way: just because you go into spring as the number one, that doesn’t really mean anything other than your number one going into spring,” Elko said. “And so Conner had earned that right. We felt like from how he had performed, but like every kid in our program, competition is there and so Conner knows there’s a level of play that he needs to reach in order to continue to be number one. And be number one when we play Notre Dame.”

Weigman played just nine games in his career and suffered an injury last season. However, in nine games he has 1,875 yards, 16 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 61.8% completion percentage.

Weigman also has the ability to run, something Elko likes, and has 39 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

But the other quarterbacks are here to compete as well. Elko likes the skillset and sees both Henderson and Reed getting more comfortable.

“Both of our other two guys bring something different to the table,” Elko said. “I think Jaylen Henderson is getting a little bit more and more comfortable functioning within the system. You know, he’s obviously extremely athletic. He does have the ability to throw the football well. I think just seeing the game and kind of getting the game to slow down for him a little bit so it can be a little bit more consistent. The way he delivers the football, I think, would help. 

“Then you know, Marcel Reed is a young kid and you kind of saw it in the bowl game. I think he has really, really high potential and it’s very similar though. It’s can we get it to be out there every single play and a little less peaks and valleys? A little bit more consistent execution and operation is kind of what we need from him.”