Does Conner Weigman Still Have to Earn Texas A&M Aggies Starting QB Job?

According to Aggies coach Mike Elko, Conner Weigman is not assured the starting job next season.

Sep 9, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

With a new coaching staff and a massive amount of roster turnover, the Texas A&M Aggies entered the spring with plenty of question marks.

One thing that was seemingly not in question, however, was that Conner Weigman was their No. 1 quarterback. However, that doesn't mean its going to stay that way.

According to Aggies coach Mike Elko, while Weigman entered the spring as the No. 1 guy, that does not guarantee him the starting job next fall, and he still needs to earn the right to be the starter for Texas A&M's season opener against Notre Dame.

Sep 9, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

“I said (that) and I want to make sure that it’s said the right way, but just because you go into spring as the No. 1 doesn’t really mean anything other than you’re No. 1 going into spring,” Elko said. “Conner had earned that right we felt like from how he had performed (in 2023), but like with every kid in our program, competition is there. Conner knows there’s a level of play he needs to reach in order to continue to be No. 1 and be No. 1 when we play Notre Dame.”

Of course, Weigman still has the edge over the competition, with the biggest barriers for him being his injury recovery, which, depsite practicing everyday, is still causing him issues.

More imporantly, however, he - along with the other quarterbacks, are still doing their best to ingest and learn the new offensive system under Collin Klein, which is slowing down their progress so far through camp.

“That’s a mindset I’ve been very happy with our kids this spring, that we have guys out there who are nicked up, and understand how important it is to go on the practice field and practice. That’s good, and Conner is doing that," Elko Said. "It still has to slow down for everybody, him included. It’s not great right now because they’re not comfortable in (the offense) yet. That’s part of spring, just learning how the system works and taking more and more reps.”

All that said, Jaylen Henderson, who took over late last season, as well as freshman Marcel Reed, who got extended time in the Aggies bowl game, both have their own impressive traits and will continue to nip at the heels of Weigman until he asserts his claim on the job.

As long as Weigman continues to push forward and progress, however, there is no reason the believe he won't take the Aggies first offensive snap next fall against the Fight Irish at Kyle Field.