Week 3's Overnight Sensation: Marcel Reed, Quarterback

Each Monday during the 2024 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s “Overnight Sensation.”

If you haven't already, put Marcel Reed on your radar.

On Saturday afternoon, Texas A&M walked into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with some questions surrounding the program.

With Conner Weigman's injury, who would start at quarterback? After 1,063 days, would the Aggies finally win a road game? What would Collin Klein's offense look like if the backup quarterback took the reins?

A 33-20 win over Florida answered those unknowns as the redshirt freshman signal-caller Reed displayed plenty of lightning strikes on a rainy Saturday.

In the first start of his career, Reed completed 11-of-17 throws for 178 passing yards with no turnovers and a pair of touchdowns. He added 83 yards on the ground and also ran in a score himself.

"I prepared like I was going to start this week,” Reed said. "I got the green light and did what I had to."

Reed was effective through the air, but his ability to extend plays with his legs may have been what Aggie fans enjoyed the most.

Of the Nashville native’s 13 attempts, four went for over 10 yards, and he averaged 6.4 yards per carry.

On the game’s initial drive, early penalties set A&M behind the sticks, but Reed's play on second-and-21 displayed his true duel-threat ability.

Reed weaved through defenders and showed off his speed to pick up 31 yards and the first of A&M's 15 explosive plays.

On A&M's next offensive possession, Reed hit Amari Daniels for 22 yards and later found Theo Melin Öhrström in the end zone from 29 yards out.

That’s where Reed said he found his groove.

"That was a full progression read, and I made it through just about all the way," he said. "I kind of took a little hit at the end. I was like, 'I can do this. I am not a little kid. I can make plays in this conference.'

“That one set me up for success and gave me the confidence I needed to play the rest of the game."

After a 45-minute weather delay, the offense picked up right where it left off.

Pinned inside their 1-yard line, Reed led A&M 99 yards downfield, where he punched in a 1-yard touchdown on the opposite side of the field, completing the Aggies' longest drive since going the same distance against Alabama in 2018.

On A&M's first drive of the second half, Reed looked deep and connected with Cyrus Allen, who hauled it in and took it 73 yards to the house.

"My read told me to throw the flat, but I just that cloud coverage guy just sitting there," Reed said. "Cyrus passed him, and I know that guy is a fast dude. I let him get the ball and use his feet to score a touchdown.”

Reed’s teammates noted the poise and leadership he displayed in Gainesville.

"Marcel showed up in a big way. Got out there and wasn't afraid of 'The Swamp,'" safety Bryce Anderson said. "We knew what Marcel had. Last year, he would be giving us scout looks and would be killing our one defense."

After Anderson's pick-six to put the Aggies up 33-7, A&M took their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter, but Reed's last rushing play is the one circling social media.

The fourth-ranked duel-threat quarterback out of high school juked Florida defensive back DJ Douglas out of his shoes to pick up 12 late in the final frame.

Taking over for Jaylen Henderson in last year’s TaxAct Texas Bowl, Reed said his experience in Houston helped him get familiar with the speed of the game.

"That prepared me a lot," Reed said. "Also, going against our defense in fall camp and spring ball... Those guys are dogs. You have to be on your A-game to go against guys like that. They helped me, too."

With Reed's performance on Saturday, perhaps another question has emerged...

Is Reed the guy moving forward?

Sidelined with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, Weigman's recovery time to unknown.

But if both signal-callers are healthy, Mike Elko & Co. will have a decision to make.

#10 certainly made a strong case in his first collegiate start.

Reed’s stats vs. Florida
Completions: 11
Attempts: 17
Passing Yards: 178
Passing Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Rushing Yards: 83
Rushing Touchdowns: 1

Reed’s 2024 stats
Completions: 16
Attempts: 28
Passing Yards: 259
Passing Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Rushing Yards: 126
Rushing Touchdowns: 3