Fisher 'happy' with team's progression through first week of Fall Camp
A couple of national podcasts, most notably Cover 3 on CBS Sports, reported the news that sophomore Haynes King had taken the lead in the Texas A&M quarterback competition.
Apparently, that’s news to A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
In a Thursday afternoon press conference, Fisher indicated that no one has taken the lead in the three-man competition between King, LSU transfer Max Johnson and five-star prospect Conner Weigman.
“I did hear that,” Fisher said of the reports. “Someone asked me is Haynes (leading). I said, ‘No, they rotate days and take exactly the same number (snaps).’
“We’re rotating guys, and they’re doing the same things.”
King won the quarterback competition over Zach Calzada last season. However, he only started two games before sustaining a broken leg early in the first quarter of a 10-7 victory over Colorado.
King figures to have an advantage because he’s been learning and operating Fisher’s offensive system for three years.
Meanwhile, Johnson, who started every game for LSU last season, and Weigman have had about six months to learn Fisher’s supposedly complicated offense.
However, Fisher said both have been quick studies.
“They understand it really well. They both do,” Fisher said. “Conner has picked it up very well for a young freshman. He’s a very intelligent guy. A very instinctive guy. If he makes a mistake, he doesn’t repeat it very often. Very encouraging in that way and developing. Max is doing the same thing.”
What might ultimately give King an edge is his running ability. He’s among the fastest players on the roster, which could add an extra measure of versatility and explosiveness.
Fisher confirmed that King has fully recovered from the broken leg.
“He’s back as far as the physical parts of what he can do,” Fisher said. “(He’s) Pain-free whether he throws it, whether he runs it, whether he stands out there.
“His strength is back and everything around the injury. I feel really good about that.”
Fisher indicated he also feels good about the progress he's seen beyond the quarterback competition. He seems particularly encouraged by the progress shown by the members of the 2022 recruiting class, which was ranked the best in recruiting history.
“The freshman group has done a really good job adapting and understanding how we practice,” Fisher said. “The biggest thing when you first get to college is how every day is a full practice as far as the energy and effort. Those guys, I think, are understanding each day better and better.
“I’m very happy with their progress, their development, their attitude, their demeanor and all that.”
A&M returns four offensive and five defensive starters from the 2021 team that finished 8-4. Those starters, along with veterans moving into starting roles like running back Devon Achane, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper have also drawn praise.
“The older guys are doing a good job. Getting better,” Fisher said. “The execution is starting to pick up the last three or four days once you get all your installations and different things in. Working a lot of different situations in with third downs and red zone and two minutes. Very pleased with the focus.
“Understanding situations is very critical. We teach that a lot. We put a lot of emphasis on that. Our guys have done a good job with that, offensively and defensively.”