Texas A&M Football: 5 bold predictions for 2018 season
By Jeff Shull
1. Nick Starkel Throws for 3,500 yards
Although the competition between Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond is not officially over, Starkel just makes too much sense to not be the starter Week 1.
He is farther along in his ability as a passer, was the starter at the end of last season due to Mond’s struggles, and he fits the prototypical quarterback Fisher has typically used to run his offense in the past.
Starkel was a ridiculous 42-for-63 with 499 yards and four touchdowns in the Belk Bowl, and he followed that up by going 26-for-42 with 373 yards and two touchdowns in the Maroon And White Game. His completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio and total QBR were all better than Mond in 2017.
3,500 yards may not seem like a lot, but take into account the fact that Fisher only had two seasons where a quarterback finished with more than that and it was Jameis Winston both times. Winston had more than 4,000 yards in the national championship season and better than 3,900 yards in the following season.
Starkel has a bevy of weapons to work with this season, all of whom got important reps in 2017. Jhamon Ausbun had six catches for 124 yards on Starkel’s Team Maroon, Kendrick Rogers had eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, and Cameron Buckley had five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown for Team White in the spring game.
Oh, and new tight end Jace Sternberger had eight catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns on Team Maroon. The Aggies will be able to move the ball this year and create matchup problems all over the field.