Mario Craver reiterates his confidence in Marcel Reed

Click here to view Texas A&M’s Tuesday press conference.

Speedy and elusive Texas A&M receiver Mario Craver is adept at changing direction.

He’s not nearly as fast to change his mind. Especially when asked about Aggie quarterback Marcel Reed.

Surrounded by reporters on Tuesday, Craver said his offseason appraisal of Reed remains unchanged after the quarterback struggled in a 31-21 loss to Kentucky.

Reed completed only 53 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions in the loss.

“Honestly, I think (the struggle) was just exclusive to that game,” Craver said. “I think, honestly, he got a little bit inside his head that game.

“Throughout the (off)season, I told you he’s gotten a lot better. I would not go back on that. He’s definitely gotten a lot better in every aspect of the game. I think last week he just got in his head a little bit and let the game get away. We’re ready to build on it and to back into next week.”

The Aggies hope Reed gets back on track on Saturday when they travel to face LSU, an opponent he’s had great success against in the past.

He came off the bench in the third quarter to lead A&M from a 10-point deficit to a 38-23 victory two years ago.

Last season, Reed passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in a 49-25 victory over the Tigers.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Texas A&M reciever Mario Craver leads the Aggies with 19 receptions for 194 yards on the season.

If Reed is to continue that success, he may have to do it without two key receivers.

Terry Bussey sustained a “lower body” injury vs. Kentucky and will miss the remainder of the season. Ashton Bethel-Roman did not play vs. Kentucky because of an undisclosed injury. His availability won’t be known until the SEC’s initial availability report comes out on Wednesday night.

Without them, A&M likely will use freshmen Aaron Gregory, Kelshaun Johnson, Madden Williams, TK Norman and Jayden Warren more often in the passing game.

Craver, who leads A&M with 19 receptions for 194 yards, expressed confidence in the new players. Indeed, he’s likely more confident in them than they are in themselves.

“I told you, y’all are going to get a chance to see all the young guys like AG (Gregory), Jayden and TK,” Craver said. “They’re finally getting their chance now since Bussey and ABR are a little banged up.

“We have guys in the receivers room that can make plays. We just have to get them comfortable, get them confident. They can play. I just don’t think they’re as confident as anyone, honestly, coming in and playing in the SEC as a freshman.

“Not a lot of people can do that. We’re just trying to make them as comfortable as we can, so they can go out there and be themselves.”

Craver said he was unconfident as a freshman playing for Mississippi State. He caught 17 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns during that 2024 season in Starkville.

“Playing on a big stage against big teams as a freshman, especially when you’re not expecting it, it can get a little nerve-wracking,” Craver said. “But them boys … They’re ball players. They’ll handle it well.”

The Aggies (2-1, 0-1) will have to handle the pressure of playing in a hostile environment against an opponent seeking revenge in a game that’s vital to their SEC championship and playoff hopes.

LSU (2-1, 0-1) fell to Ole Miss last week. Whichever team absorbs a second loss will be in a desperate situation moving forward. No more losses could be afforded.

“We’ve definitely made it harder on ourselves to make this run,” Craver said. “We’re ready for it.

“We made the decision to go out there and play bad on Saturday against Kentucky. So we have to make the decision to go out there and clean it up.”

The cleaning process begins with Reed. That’s fine with Craver.

“We have to go play for each other,” Craver said. “No matter what happens on any drive, I’ve got (Reed) on the next drive. No matter what happens, no matter what you’re doing, no matter what decision he’s making, I’m still going to play with him. He’s still going to be my quarterback. I’m still going to be a receiver. I’ve got his back. He’s got my back. We’re in this thing all 12 games, or however many games it is.”