Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin says reports of quarterback competition overblown

Texas A M Alabama Football

Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill (7) looks down during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct, 18, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama won 59-0. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

(Brynn Anderson)

So Texas A&M's quarterback job has been an open competition since the Aggies' 59-0 loss to Alabama, right? Head coach Kevin Sumlin and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said so, with Spavital noting that Kenny Hill and freshman Kyle Allen are splitting first-team reps in practice.

That may be, but Sumlin backed off the idea that Allen could unseat Hill as the starter when asked about it during Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference.

"I think more has been made out of that," Sumlin said. "My exact words were, all jobs were back open. So people just chose to pick on that one. Exactly what I said was after two weeks ago, there was nothing off the table. The question was about quarterbacks and I said, 'Yeah, quarterbacks, too.'  People have chosen to focus on that."

Hill leads the SEC with 2,649 yards on 214-of-321 passing with 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, breaking Johnny Manziel's school record for single-game passing yardage with 511 yards in a season-opening win over South Carolina. But the Aggies have lost three straight and Hill threw for just 138 yards and an interception in their last game, a 59-0 loss at Alabama.

Sumlin said his focus after that game has been creating competition throughout his roster.

"I think there's been less focus between those two (quarterbacks) because there have been many other positions that were in question or that were up for grabs last week," he said. "We had guys who played well last week and took advantage of the opportunity and some guys didn't play very well that wanted an opportunity. As we get into game preparation, how they handle the game plan is going to dictate who plays.

"It wasn't just about the quarterbacks. It was about every other job."

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