What's Next for Texas A&M After Losing Eli Holstein?

Texas A&M lost the commitment of 2023 Zachary (La.) High four-star quarterback Eli Holstein on Friday, as the junior recently visited Alabama and had been hearing from other schools like Miami, Oregon as well as in-state LSU, among others.

With Holstein no longer in the class, the Aggies are once again searching for a quarterback in the 2023 cycle. With the additions of LSU transfer Max Johnson and 2022 four-star Conner Weigman in the 2022 cycle, Texas A&M is banking on one of Johnson, Weigman and/or third-year sophomore Haynes King as the quarterback of the future in College Station, making quarterback less of a need in the 2023 class. However, the Aggies currently have just three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, and with the transfer portal, there is a chance one could opt to explore other options dependent on how the quarterback battle between King, Johnson and Weigman shakes out ahead of the 2022 season.

With Holstein no longer in the fold, here are some options the Aggies could turn to in the 2023 cycle

Four-star QB Jackson Arnold – Denton (Tex.) Guyer

The top in-state quarterback in the state of Texas in the 2023 cycle, Jackson Arnold could be an option the Aggies explore. The four-star is currently committed to Oklahoma, but the opportunity to suit up for the Aggies could be appealing. There had been buzz that Arnold coveted an offer from the Aggies, but with Holstein already in the boat when Arnold broke out as a junior, Texas A&M has yet to offer, though that could change relatively quickly. Even if the Aggies were to offer, it will be tough to beat Arnold’s proximity to Norman as well as his relationship with Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who had been recruiting him since he was at Ole Miss.

Four-Star QB Marcel Reed – Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy

Reed already holds an offer from the Aggies and is still relatively open in his recruitment. The junior has his eye on Georgia and Vanderbilt early, along with Ole Miss, Tennessee and Arkansas. With an opening in the 2023 cycle, expect the Aggies to become a little more involved in Reed’s recruitment in the coming weeks. Reed visited College Station last summer for a camp, before Holstein committed to the Aggies and could return once again this offseason.

Four-Star QB Rickie Collins – Baton Rouge (La.) Woodlawn

Collins is currently committed to Purdue but is one to keep an eye on as the cycle continues. Collins has impressed in both live game, camp and 7-on-7 settings and is being monitored by a number of SEC schools. The four-star accounted for more than 2,500 yards of total offense, including 2,000 yards passing as a junior for Woodlawn. He committed to Purdue over offers from Arkansas, Virginia Tech and the previous LSU staff. The Tigers could look to get back involved under Brian Kelly and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Aggies get involved as well. Collins is one among a handful of quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle who’s recruitment could take off as the quarterback dominoes in the cycle fall.

Three-star QB Marcus Stokes – Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Nease

Stokes emerged on the scene as a junior, recently landing offers from the likes of Penn State, Indiana and Virginia Tech since January. The junior led Nease to the regional finals in Florida’s second-highest classification as a junior, leading the team in both passing and rushing yards. The 6-foot-1.5, 180lb quarterback completed just under 60 percent of his passes for 2,672 yards with 22 touchdowns to just nine interceptions while also rushing for 496 yards and six touchdowns. Could be an intriguing option at the position if the Aggies choose to look out of the region for their quarterback in the cycle.

Three-star QB Austin Novosad – Dripping Springs (Tex.) High

The in-state three-star is one of the top quarterbacks in the state of Texas this cycle. He’s currently committed to Baylor, but an offer from Texas A&M could see him to reassess his recruitment. Novosad was a top performer at last week’s Under Armour Next Dallas Camp and was the Texas District 12-5A-I Overall MVP as a junior. He committed to Baylor in December and maintains a good relationship with the staff, though in-state schools like TCU, SMU and Houston, continue to monitor the junior.

Three-star QB Braylen Ragland – Memphis (Tenn.) White Station

Similar to the aforementioned Collins, Ragland is a prospect who’s stock could rise immensely as the quarterback dominoes fall in the 2023 cycle. The junior holds just eleven offers to date, but that list could grow very quickly in the coming months. Ragland has impressed in both camp and 7-on-7 settings with his arm strength and touch. Tennessee, Auburn and Virginia Tech are among a couple schools to watch in his recruitment.

Four-Star QB Eli Holstein – Zachary (La.) High

Holstein might have backed off his pledge to the Aggies, but stated in his decommitment announcement he is still “very interested in Texas A&M.” Holstein had been committed to the Aggies for some time and had been excellent as a peer recruiter. He’s one of the top quarterback prospects in the country and has been hearing from the likes of Alabama, Oregon, Miami and in-state LSU, among others, which led to his decommitment. Expect the Aggies to push to bring Holstein back in the fold, if he’s willing to come back.