Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher on Tuesday suggested the upcoming spring football game won’t be a major factor in determining the winners of several competitions for starting roles.
“It’s one of the next steps,” Fisher said. “People are in the stands. Coaches aren’t out there holding their hands. Can you manage? Can you run? Can you function? Can you do all the things you’ve got to do?
“It’s not a huge step, but it’s the next step in the progression of where you’re going and how the team reacts to you.”
The annual Maroon & White Game is at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Kyle Field.
Fisher said there have been intense and productive competitions at several positions, especially on offense.
Of course, most of the curiosity and intrigue is focused on the three-way competition at quarterback between original 2021 starter Haynes King, LSU transfer Max Johnson and five-star freshman prospect Conner Weigman.
King, a running and throwing threat, missed almost all of last season after breaking a leg early in the second game.
The quarterback competition figures to extend well into August camp.
“I don’t think there is any doubt,” Fisher said. “We’ll see how it goes. You know when you know. All three guys have had their moments. They’ve all played well.
“Haynes, I thought, in the last scrimmage, did some really good things. Max is excellent. He has been sharp, making deep ball throws and getting the ball out and also moving well.
“Conner was excellent. Great plays with legs and arm and quick release. They’re all starting to see things now. All have progressed really well.”
Fisher will be looking to see how they handle a game situation.
“Can they go out there and keep their poise?” Fisher said. “Get the play call? Get the check? Get the alignment? Get the assignment? Understand the technique? Not have pre-snap penalties? Function within the organization within the offensive or defensive call that was made? And then perform.”
Those questions are not limited to the quarterback competition.
Two starting positions are open in the offensive line. Also, there is competition for the backup to center Bryce Foster.
Fisher indicated that redshirt freshman Trey Zuhn has made significant progress toward earning a starting job at tackle.
“I think Trey Zuhn is having a heck of a spring,” Fisher said. “Trey would have had a chance to help us last year a little bit, but he had that knee injury, unfortunately, when he was training in the offseason. A freak thing.
“He’s been excellent. He’s really developed.”
Fisher also mentioned sophomore guard Jordan Spasojevic-Moko and redshirt freshmen centers Matthew Wykoff and Remington Strickland.
“Moko is making a lot of progress, in my opinion,” Fisher said. “I think the two centers, Wykoff and Strickland, are getting better and better.
“Wish you had (Bryce) Foster there, selfishly, but at the same time, (his absence) allows Wykoff and Strickland to get all those quality reps with the ones. That is really good.”
Foster is sitting out spring drills to compete in the shot put and discus for the Texas A&M track & field team.
Starting running back Devon Achane — a world-class sprinter — is also focusing on track this spring.
“You’d love to have them, but understand they’re both doing extremely well,” Fisher said. “Why do you want to punish somebody for being good at two things? That’s selfish on our part. We should be able to work it out and figure it out for the best development of that young man.
“You can sacrifice a little bit. Overall, it’s about the kids. They’re good at two sports.”
