Transfer WR Jahade Walker Steps Up For Aggie Passing Game In Win

With Conner Weigman's top-two pass-catchers out, Jahade Walker took control in the passing game.

COLLEGE STATION -- When Jahade Walker transferred to Texas A&M from Grand Valley State this offseason, he figured to be a factor in the new up-tempo passing game led by Bobby Petrino. 

On Saturday, he was the headliner. He was the go-to target for Conner Weigman in the first half, and consistently found ways to get open against Louisiana-Monroe's secondary to keep drives alive and push the Aggies closer to the end zone. 

Sure, a 47-3 win over the Warhawks won't change much in the minds of college football voters on the Aggies' outcome in the grand scheme, but fans can walk away feeling content about the depth in the receiving game. 

It's a next-man-up mentality in College Station, and Walker was the man to deliver in front of 90,000-plus at Kyle Field. 

“He’s got a lot of juice, a lot of energy. He's got size, ball skills,” sixth-year coach Jimbo Fisher of Walker. “He's just been a very efficient guy for us. Just a matter of him getting through the jitters and getting on the field and playing. And getting him going is big. Because he's got size, speed, athleticism. He's a really good player.”

Walker finished with five catches for 110 yards and kickstarted the Aggies' scoring with a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He nabbed four first downs and averaged 22 yards per catch. 

The Aggies entered Saturday without leading receiver Evan Stewart due to an undisclosed injury. By halftime, Wegiman's favorite target Noah Thomas was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

This strike got the party started early 🎯@ConnerWeigman @dae2walker pic.twitter.com/Yta2rRWaU6

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 17, 2023

Walker had flashed throughout the offseason, rotating in with the first-team offense, but his production was limited, having totaled three catches for 31 yards through the first two games. By the end of the first quarter, he had doubled his season production, hauling in a 33-yard catch on the opening drive to put A&M inside the Warhawk red zone. 

Once in the end zone, Walker channeled his inner Jaylen Waddle, modeling his "penguin waddle" celebration back toward the sidelines. 

"I was excited for him when he had scored," said senior receiver Ainias Smith. "The celebration was tough. We were talking about it. I wish I were on the field with him so we could do a handshake into the celebration. But it was all good. He turned up, so I'm proud of him for sure."

Saturday marked the first time since 2018 that two A&M players finished with 100-plus receiving yards. Smith, the veteran of the offense, totaled a team-high seven catches for 127 yards. Weigman finished the afternoon 25-of-29 for 337 yards and a touchdown while also scoring on a 19-yard run in the second quarter. 

“We were efficient,” Fisher said. “There are always things you want better. But I think where we are, our mental game … and the psychological disposition of our team was in a good place. I liked how we came out in the game. I liked how we practiced all week. I like the focus we have.”

Smith said he had met Walker while working out in Tampa this offseason. At the time, Walker was still undecided on where he would continue his college career, but when Smith found out A&M was on the shortlist, he made it a mission to sell the program to make it the only option. 

"The first day, [he was ] energetic," said Smith. "Just being who he was. I'm like, okay, yeah, we can do something with this. And he ain't never switched up. So I'm excited for him." 

The performance wasn't perfect. Fisher said he wished A&M found the end zone more instead of settling for four field goals from Randy Bond. The Aggies made eight trips to the red zone but only walked away with five touchdowns. 

But without multiple starters out, consider the outing as a building block for next week's conference opener against Auburn. The time for "figuring things out" is over, but according to Smith, A&M planned on playing as if SEC play began Saturday. 

“We were taking it as an SEC week,” he said. “We (didn’t) want to look back and beat down on ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves just because we took an ‘L.’

“Everybody takes ‘Ls,’ but it’s about the bounce back.”