The much anticipated 2022 Maroon & White Game gave fans a first look at the team for the upcoming Fall. The Aggies are a talented bunch this season, and they will likely rely on young talent to rejuvenate the squad. However, Texas A&M has some veterans at certain positions, and Jimbo Fisher is waiting for those experienced players to grab the spotlight. Here’s a recap of the Aggies’ Spring Game at Kyle Field.
Quarterbacks Fight It Out
The white team started with the ball, but Max Johnson took a sack on his first drive. Haynes King began with the maroon squad, and he looked healthy as he scored the first touchdown of the game with his legs. Fisher mentioned that King is one of the three fastest players on the team, and he provides a different kind of motor on the offense.
Johnson had a 50-yard run on the second drive, but that seemed more like a fault by the maroon team’s defense. He proceeded to throw a touchdown on third down, which was really placed well in the back corner of the end zone.
Connor Weigman also looked poised on his first drive, and he finished the drive with a nice touchdown pass in the red zone. Although Weigman also threw an interception, he’s clearly the most talented of the bunch, and he seemed to put almost every throw right on the money. If all goes well for him, he could be the starting quarterback by October.
Wide Receiver Stability
Evan Stewart got a couple of receptions during the game, and defensive backs seemed to frequently hold him. King threw a lot of 50-50 balls to the outside, which could be an indicator of the Aggies’ offensive play style in 2022. Jalen Preston has the capability to make plays in the open field, especially after scoring a touchdown after a pass from Johnson at the 30-yard line.
Moose Muhammad III was open a couple of times on drives, but King often failed to connect with Muhammad when he was open. The wide receiver room is stacked with talent, but no one has truly separated themselves other than Stewart and Ainias Smith. Following the departure of Demond Demas, someone will need to step up as a pass-catcher for the Aggies.
Defensive Struggles?
Both defenses combined for a couple of turnovers in the game, but they really struggled to contain the maroon and white offenses. This could be a sign that Texas A&M will have a high-powered offense, but on the flip side, it could mean the Aggies perform worse on defense.
Regardless, defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will have to incorporate more blitz packages to help out his back end at the beginning of the season. If the front seven can’t get to the quarterback, the secondary will have a really tough time covering those SEC receivers.
Concluding Thoughts
Obviously, the starting quarterback debate is the topic that interests Aggies’ fans the most. All three quarterbacks had a decent showing in this game, but Weigman truly impressed as a true freshman. It’s evident that Texas A&M has many areas to improve before the first game against Sam Houston State on September 3rd. The Aggies’ Spring Game is only a preview of what comes next; get ready for a thrilling season.
Main Image courtesy 247Sports
