Keys to the Kingdom: Haynes King ready to shoulder big expectations as QB1

An urgent message flashed on coach John King’s cell phone Tuesday night.

It went unanswered.

King had spent the day in the sweltering East Texas summer heat, preparing his Longview Lobos football team for the season-opener against Denton Ryan this Saturday. Fatigued, he went to sleep early.

Therefore, King didn’t get the text message from his son until Wednesday morning.

His son, Haynes, was named Texas A&M’s starting quarterback.

The news generated responses from John King, the dad, and John King, the coach.

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Jimbo Fisher announced publicly on Wednesday morning that Haynes King will lead the Aggie offense against Kent State.

“You’re excited for your kid to have the opportunity that he’s had to earn,” the dad said. “Then you start thinking about the heavy burden on his shoulders, replacing a starting quarterback like Kellen Mond, who has all the passing records. And then you have the expectations for this year’s team.

“There’s excitement, and then you get a knot in your stomach, and you realize this is real.”

Indeed, it is.

Haynes King will lead a team ranked sixth in national preseason polls. The Aggies project as serious national championship contenders.

That will largely depend on how well Haynes performs as the successor to Mond, who set A&M career records for passing yards, completions and touchdowns.

Those possibilities invoked thoughts from John King, the coach.

“He will play well. If not, he won’t be in there long,” the coach said. “You know the expectations of this football team. There is a lot of pressure and stress on how well the quarterback plays. He’s got to prove it every day.

“It’s not any different than when he was here with us.”

Haynes King proved to be a special quarterback at Longview High School.

In 2018, he passed for 3,879 yards and 42 touchdowns and rushed for another 664 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the Lobos to their first state championship in 81 years.

Justin Schoenemann

King passed for 423 yards and accounted for three scores in Longview’s 35-34 win over Beaumont West Brook as the Lobos ended an 81-year title drought in 2018.

The Aggies are seeking their first national title in 82 years.

Nine starters return from a defense that ranked ninth in the nation in 2020.

Tight end Jalen Wydermyer is an All-American candidate. Running back Isaiah Spiller is, too. Receiver Ainias Smith could be.

Tackle Kenyon Green already has All-American credentials. He’ll head up an inexperienced but talented offensive line.

That leaves the onus on the quarterback. The Aggies legitimately could challenge Alabama but only if their quarterback play is sound.

There will be tons of pressure on Haynes. That’s nothing new for him, though.

“The pressure was on him from the time he set foot on (Longview’s) campus,” John King said. “He was the coach's son, and in that magical season, the pressure ramped up every week. He has been in that situation before.

“He’s going to give his best effort. He’s going to make mistakes — what new starting quarterback doesn’t? — but he’ll work hard and be more critical on himself than anyone. He has a unique skill set. I expect him to find ways to make plays. He’ll play his role. When the time presents itself, he’ll make a play with his arm or his legs or just checking to the correct play.”

Haynes King gives A&M more than adequate arm strength. He also gives the Aggies outstanding speed.

He reportedly runs a 4.45 40-yard dash. Perhaps more impressively, he has caught the attention — and earned the respect — of A&M running back Devon Achane, who qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100- and 200-meter dash.

“We have gassers, and every time I look out to the left, I see a green jersey. It’s always Haynes,” Achane said. “In a game, running full speed, he might be scary. He’s actually fast.”

Haynes also provides the football acumen and savvy that comes from being a coach’s son and exceptional leadership.

He potentially can give the Aggies everything but a motivational speech.

“He’s not a rah-rah guy. He’s a man of few words,” John King said. “People follow him because of the great teammate he is. He’ll do whatever it takes, whether it’s picking up the locker room or running extra. He’s all about the team.

“He knows how to treat people, whether it’s coach Fisher or the person at the bottom of the totem pole in the field house. He’s just a genuine person. He’s good-hearted, but don’t think he’s not competitive. Don’t mistake his kindness for weakness.”

The A&M fandom won’t.

They will praise his humility during the week. They will celebrate his competitive qualities on Saturdays.

John King will be among them.

“My Saturdays will be just like last year. I’ll be in a car or I’ll hop on a plane to watch the Aggies play,” the dad said.

“And I’ll be back in the office on Sunday by noon,” the coach added.