Ross Bjork explains Blake Bost missing warmup top, no gamesmanship imitating Max Johnson

An interesting storyline developed just before the Texas A&M Aggies and Mississippi State Bulldogs kicked off on Saturday night. During team warmups, backup quarterback Blake Bost was spotted warming up on the field wearing starting quarterback Max Johnson’s No. 14.

Some speculated that it was a red herring attempt by Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher to get the Bulldogs to bite that Johnson would, in fact, be suiting up and playing in the matchup.

Shortly before kickoff, Texas A&M attempted to clarify the miscommunication. Aggies athletic director Ross Bjork released this statement, per local College Station reporter Travis Brown, explaining why Bost was warming up wearing Johnson’s number.

“Official word on this from Ross Bjork: Backup QB Blake Bost couldn’t find his warmup top. His locker is next to Max Johnson’s. Being a good teammate, Johnson let him use his top, since he wasn’t playing today. No gamesmanship, Bjork said, just a lost warm-up top,” wrote Brown via X.

Bost causes confusion by warming up wearing Johnson’s number

When Texas A&M takes on Mississippi State Saturday night, Max Johnson won’t be under center. Jimbo Fisher said the Aggies quarterback was “day by day” earlier this week after taking some “tough shots” a week ago.

That didn’t stop a left-handed quarterback wearing Johnson’s No. 14 from taking the field, though — and the conversation began.

A Texas A&M player wearing a hat and throwing passes with his left hand was on the field prior to kickoff, causing quite a stir on social media. Beat writers at Kyle Field determined it was likely walk-on Blake Bost, though, rather than a “decoy.”

Bost is a junior this year and didn’t see any action last season for Texas A&M. As a freshman in 2021, he appeared in five games and completed 2 of 5 passes for 18 yards.

Johnson has looked the part after assuming the starting quarterback role following Conner Weigman’s injury against Auburn. In eight games, Johnson has thrown for 1,452 yards and nine touchdowns as Texas A&M continues its fight for bowl eligibility with a 5-4 record.

On3’s Pete Nakos later confirmed Jaylen Henderson would get the start for Texas A&M in Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. The Fresno State transfer appeared in five games for the Bulldogs over two years, completing 5 of 8 passes for 49 yards before entering the transfer portal and making his way to College Station.

Texas A&M has had its issues with injured quarterbacks over the years, and Weigman’s injury earlier this year is the latest in that line. Fisher noted that earlier this week and said he’s never seen anything like this run.

“Some of it’s freak accidents as much as anything. And it’s unfortunate luck,” Fisher said. “Like I said, I’ve never had that happen before in my life, but it’s bitten us here so hopefully we can get through it.”