Weigman's return adds extra excitement for a new-look Aggie offense

It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Hopefully, it also makes the foot grow stronger.

That's Conner Weigman's left foot, to be exact.

That foot could be the difference in "finding the inches" that were so elusive to Texas A&M a year ago.

Since the Aggie quarterback endured a season-ending broken foot injury against Auburn last September, he's come to appreciate football even more — even spring football.

"Just being able to go back out there in the spring and be out there on the field and playing the game I love… It's truly a blessing," Weigman said earlier this week. "You don't realize how much you love something until it's taken away from you, so I'm just excited to be out there with my teammates and my coaches."

The feeling is mutual — as it should be — because a healthy Weigman has all the qualities to be a difference-maker for the Aggies in 2024.

Indeed, if a blown-blocking assignment had not led to his injury, Jimbo Fisher might still be coaching A&M, and Mike Elko might still be at Duke.

Think about it.

A&M still managed seven victories last season. The Aggies were in position to win in the fourth quarter in four of their losses.

It's not far-fetched to suggest A&M could've beaten Alabama, Tennessee and Ole Miss with Weigman. His replacement, Max Johnson, had costly interceptions in those games.

Weigman can elude rushers that Johnson couldn't. He also makes fewer mistakes.

In eight career starts, Weigman has thrown two interceptions — both in a 48-33 loss to Miami last season. One would've been about a 10-yard completion had Ainias Smith not slipped and fallen.

The other was on a fourth down play when Weigman, under pressure, had no choice but to loft a pass into the end zone and hope for the best.

New A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein seems to already know what he has in Weigman.

"(I've) Been really impressed with his grit, coming off an injury like he has and pushing through it," Klein said. "He's a very instinctual football player. Has a great feel for space. Has a great feel for the pass game concepts of what we're trying to do.

"He does a nice job buying time in the pocket and still being able to deliver the ball under duress when things aren't perfect around him. He's naturally accurate. It's been fun getting to know each other through this process."

It should be a lot more fun this fall. The Aggies have talent — probably more than Klein ever worked with at Kansas State.

The offensive line must be fixed, but Elko addressed that by bringing in a new line coach and several players from the transfer portal to build depth and competition.

Running backs must be more productive, but that will come with better line play and a more creative offense.

The receivers won't have Smith or Evan Stewart. Smith will be missed. Stewart, not so much. He missed about half of last season, anyway.

Stewart's frequent absences allowed for the development of Jahdae Walker, who produced more receiving yardage than Stewart.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

In four games in 2023, Weigman passed for 979 yards and eight touchdowns. 

His return, along with Noah Thomas and Moose Muhammad III, a big-play threat Fisher underutilized, forms a solid nucleus of receivers in an offense that figures to be more explosive — or at least less predictable.

"Just the play-makers we've got … explosive plays after explosive plays," Weigman said. "In the backfield, at receiver, at tight end. … I feel like we've got it all. I'm excited to play with those guys."

Mostly, Weigman will be excited to get back on the field… or the bicycle, if you will.

"Just being away for six months, the game sped up the first couple of practices a little bit," Weigman said. "But after that, like coach Elko told me, it's like riding a bike. Just get back on and ride."

With a healthy Weigman, the Aggies could be riding high this fall.