Texas A&M Football: ESPN lists Haynes King as “player to watch”

The Texas A&M football team currently has one of the best quarterback competitions in college football. Heck, I’d go so far as to say that this is the best quarterback competition in college football.

As things stand, the Aggies’ starter from last year in Haynes King will be competing against LSU’s starter from last year in Max Johnson. Oh, and those two guys will have a five-star incoming freshman breathing down their necks in Conner Weigman, who also plays baseball in College Station.

If you asked me, I’d have Max Johnson as the team’s starter next season but at this point in the offseason, it could be anybody. That said, one prominent media outlet thinks Haynes King is the primary passer to keep an eye on in 2022.

Here’s why ESPN lists Haynes King as a player to watch for the Texas A&M football team

Again, the Texas A&M football team’s quarterback competition is far from over. Both Haynes King and Max Johnson were starters at SEC schools last season, so they are seemingly the two dueling it out for the starting spot. That said, Conner Weigman, a highly-talented freshman, should not be ruled out.

Still, ESPN’s Dave Wilson listed Haynes King among the most likely breakout quarterbacks in the entire country for 2022. Here’s what he said about King.

"The Aggies’ passing game was anemic last year but with the addition of Stewart, a loaded tight end room despite the loss of Jalen Wydermyer and an experienced offensive line, King has a chance to solve the Aggies’ passing woes."

Wilson precedes this by mentioning King’s athleticism, which is only matched by a couple of other players at any position on the roster. 247Sports weighed in on the subject but isn’t as sold on King winning the starting spot in Aggieland. Here’s what Brad Crawford said about the Aggie quarterback.

"Here’s a competition that’s not going to be decided during spring practice. It’s that close according to those close to the program. King was slated to be last season’s starter after beating out Zach Calzada during camp, but missed most of the campaign after suffering an early injury. Jimbo Fisher brought in LSU’s Max Johnson for another option at the position (27 touchdowns, six interceptions in 2021) and signed five-star Conner Weigman."

Crawford is right — this is going to be a close competition. I do, however, think that this one could be decided during spring practice, as Jimbo Fisher has a way of making quarterback competitions seem closer than they are.

Either of the three players who win the competition should be able to handle SEC play. In my eyes, all three could be listed as “players to watch.”