Could Fresno State Transfer Jaylen Henderson Win Aggies Starting QB Job?

The Aggies will now have a four-way battle at quarterback through the summer with the addition of Jaylen Henderson.

Jaylen Henderson isn't coming to College Station to sit and hold a clipboard. He did plenty of that the past two years out west. 

Henderson, Texas A&M's newest quarterback, and the latest name to join the program via the transfer portal, could have gone elsewhere for a chance to start. Some would argue given the small number of reps and the stability of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's infatuation with the current two starters, he'd have a better chance to win the starting job at a lesser school. 

But no, Henderson wants a challenge. He'll get one this summer working opposite two quarterbacks that already have months of experience dissecting the ins and outs of Petrino's offensive concepts. He'll go toe-to-toe with a pair of passers that have started at least four games since 2021 and have ample reps in the Southeastern Conference. 

Crazier things have happened before, right? No reason to say Henderson couldn't walk away with the starting job if he's the best option in camp. 

Henderson, a 6-3 215-pound, dual-threat QB, barely saw action during his previous two seasons at Fresno State. The left-hander appeared in five games and threw for 49 yards (5-of-8) during that span. He also rushed for 66 yards on 16 carries. 

According to reports, Henderson held offers from at least a dozen schools after electing to enter the portal last month. Petrinio's vast knowledge of differing quarterbacks ultimately influenced Henderson's commitment. 

Now comes the fun part; competition on the field. Henderson will arrive for summer workouts next month and compete for the starting nod opposite sophomore Conner Weigman and redshirt junior Max Johnson. The Aggies also add 2023 four-star recruit Marcel Reed from Nashville (Tenn.).

Weigman, A&M's most promising quarterback prospect, likely is the favorite to win the starting job again. A former five-star prospect from Cypress (Texas), Weigman impressed in his four starts, throwing for nearly 900 yards and eight TDs. He also led the Aggies to an upset 38-23 win over then-No. 5 LSU in the regular season finale. 

Johnson is the group's most experienced option, but could also be the most limited. He's started 17 games in the past two seasons between his time at A&M and LSU. He also looked limited as a passer, throwing for less than 600 yards and three TDs in three starts before suffering a season-ending thumb injury in early October. 

Both Petrino and A&M coach Jimbo Fisher have been clear from the jump that the best prospect will start regardless of age or star ranking. This includes both Henderson and Reed, who are known as much for their mobility as they are for arm strength. 

Henderson very well could also be viewed as a long-term prospect in waiting. Should Weigman win the starting job, he likely would retain the title through the 2024 season when he would become draft eligible. Johnson, who still has two years of eligibility remaining, could transfer after the season. Reed, who Fisher and then-offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey recruited prior to Petrino's hiring, could also elect to leave, giving Henderson a front-row seat to the title of QB2. 

Still, Henderson is here to compete for more. Everything and everything likely is on the table for the Aggies following their 5-7 finish. 

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