In a sudden turn of events, the Texas A&M Aggies are gearing up for the rest of the 2023 season with Max Johnson at the helm as the starting quarterback. Johnson brings a wealth of experience compared to most backups. During his two-year stint at LSU, he played in 18 games, completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,884 yards, with 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Coach Jimbo Fisher initially believed that Conner Weigman‘s lower-body injury was just a minor strain in his right foot. While he hoped for a speedy recovery, fate had a different plan.
Aggies’ New Starting QB Max Johnson Steps Up
Weigman’s Season-Ending Injury
On the weekly Southeastern Conference teleconference, Fisher revealed that a CT scan had confirmed a fracture in Weigman’s foot, ending his season prematurely. Fisher recounted, “He was experiencing some discomfort, and after conducting X-rays and an MRI, nothing unusual surfaced. We thought it was a routine sprain until the CAT scan revealed something more serious that required immediate attention.”
Weigman’s injury occurred during the second quarter of Week 4’s game against Auburn when a Tigers’ defender inadvertently stepped on him after a second-down completion. Despite his pain, Weigman played through one more snap before the Aggies had to punt. Initially, the X-rays appeared normal, and Fisher had hoped for a quick recovery. On Monday, he even stated that Weigman would be “day-to-day” in practice leading up to A&M’s game against Arkansas.
Johnson QB1
Stepping in to stabilize the offense was redshirt sophomore Johnson. In the game, Johnson completed 7-of-11 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He now assumes the role of starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, with the hope of keeping the Aggies’ conference championship dreams alive as they aim for their first SEC title game appearance.
Fisher praised Johnson’s performance, saying, “He did an excellent job in the game, displaying a strong arm and a deep understanding of our offense. We are fortunate to have him, and we have full confidence in his abilities moving forward.”
Johnson’s Proven Track Record
Johnson is no stranger to stepping up when needed. In 2021, he replaced LSU’s starter, Myles Brennan, for 11 games, leading the Tigers to a 6-6 finish. Last season, after Haynes King‘s injury in Week 2, Johnson took over and started three games, helping the Aggies secure victories over then-No. 13 Miami and then-No. 10 Arkansas.
If not for Johnson’s season-ending injury in Week 5 of the previous season against Mississippi State, Weigman, who started four of A&M’s final five games in 2022, might have been relegated to the backup role. Johnson had earned the title of QB1 and the respect of his teammates, but a broken thumb on his throwing hand in the second quarter against the Bulldogs disrupted his momentum.
Reflecting on his experience, Johnson said after the win last week against Auburn, “I’ve been in these situations before, and I was excited to be out there with my teammates. I believe we did a great job of executing.”
A History of Backup Quarterbacks
In College Station, backup quarterbacks have often seen significant playing time due to injuries since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012. Notable names like Kyle Allen, and Nick Starkel, as well as King, Johnson, and Weigman, have all faced injuries since 2015. Fisher himself had to deal with an early-season injury in 2021, turning to Zach Calzada after King suffered a broken leg in Week 2’s game against Colorado.
Johnson’s Heroics at AT&T Stadium
Last season, in the annual Southwest Classic, Johnson made his mark by connecting with Evan Stewart for a 10-yard touchdown that narrowed the gap to 14-7. He finished the game with 151 passing yards and led two scoring drives that helped A&M secure a 23-21 victory at AT&T Stadium.
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman expressed his sympathy for Weigman’s situation, stating on the SEC teleconference, “I hate that for Connor Weigman. He was playing really well, and I’m sorry to hear that news. Fortunately, for A&M, they have a wonderful backup quarterback and now starter in Max Johnson.”
Johnson’s Steady Performance
Johnson has proven to be a reliable passer in the opportunities he’s received this fall. Through four games, he has completed 20-of-31 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns. In his eight games with the Aggies, he has thrown seven touchdowns without a single interception.
Coach Fisher reiterated, “As I’ve said before, we have two starting quarterbacks, and we feel very confident moving forward. We’ll adapt to the situation.”
New Backup and No. 3 Option
With the sudden change in the quarterback lineup, Fresno State transfer Jaylen Henderson will serve as the new backup quarterback. Meanwhile, true freshman Marcel Reed will assume the No. 3 quarterback position. Henderson had a chance to showcase his skills in the Aggies’ 47-3 win over Louisiana-Monroe, and Reed, a former four-star recruit from Nashville, is known for his dual-threat mobility.
The Aggies, currently boasting a 3-1 record and a 1-0 start in the SEC, are set to face the Arkansas Razorbacks, who hold a 2-2 record overall and a 0-1 record in the SEC. The Southwest Classic game has taken place at AT&T Stadium since 2014. A&M has won eight of the previous nine matchups. Their only loss was 2021.
