COLLEGE STATION -- Jimbo Fisher has preached about the importance of having two capable starters at quarterback for his offense. Really, any offense needs a solidified backup if a team hopes to win a conference title, let alone a national championship.
It's early, and Texas A&M's season could go off the rails once more if losses begin to pile up starting this weekend in Arlington, but Fisher's notion of having two potential starters at the game's most crucial position is looking more promising by the day.
The Aggies (3-1, 1-0 SEC) will lean on Max Johnson until Conner Weigman is fully cleared to play again. Weigman, who suffered a lower-body injury in the 27-10 win over Auburn, avoided serious injury, but his status for Saturday's game against Arkansas remains a mystery heading into practice.
But there's belief in Johnson among the coaches. Players think he could have guided A&M to wins over New Mexico and Louisiana-Monroe to keep morale high if named QB1. And Johnson has never acted like a backup in practice, but rather QB1-B, just waiting for his opportunity.
"That I think it's character, but more importantly than character, I think it's belief in himself," Fisher said Monday at his annual press conference. "See, I think sometimes that's where young players, I think, and at any position, the coach doesn't pick you to start, and they say, 'oh, it's Chicken Little, the sky's falling, it's the end of the earth.' And they lose confidence in themselves and don't believe in themselves. Max believes in himself, and he did [on Saturday.] That's one of the things I love about him. Like he said, 'I'll compete, I'll be ready.'"
Johnson looked ready to take over as the starter when Weigman exited Saturday's game up 6-3 just before halftime. The passing attack was different, but still potent. Johnson worried more about moving the sticks than making the highlight play.
Both formulas are correct; it's just what suits each player. And Johnson fit the bill of "capable starter," throwing for 123 yards and two touchdowns to give A&M the edge heading into the fourth quarter.
"He came in and played excellent football and did a great job and made plays and really led us in the game," Fisher said of Johnson's performance.
Johnson's been here before, and not just at A&M. He filled in for Myles Brennan during the 2021 season while at LSU and led the Tigers to a 6-6 finish, including defeating A&M in the season finale.
Last season, Johnson took over for initial starter Haynes King in Week 3 following a 1-1 start. There wasn't a "wow" factor on the stat sheet, but the Aggies were consistent, stockpiling wins over then-No. 13 Miami and then-No. 10 Arkansas.
That's Johnson's role for A&M moving forward: start when called upon, limit the mistakes, and keep the offense afloat to put up points to take the lead. Play concepts could be altered when Johnson takes control of the huddle, but it's still enough to keep the Aggies ahead.
Weigman could be cleared to play before Saturday's 11 a.m. kick, but it all depends on health. One day, the former five-star could be limited with his legs walking around the facility. The next, he could be back commanding the huddle.
"That goes on daily on what happens and where it goes, and what the trainers say," Fisher said.
“That’s not for me (to decide).”
The positive for A&M is that Johnson isn't an average backup. Fisher said the competition was close throughout fall camp and that either could pull away with the starting job at any given moment.
When Johnson lost out to Weigman, he could have elected to enter the transfer portal and compete for starting reps elsewhere. Instead, he felt a connection to the university and wanted to stick to his commitment, something Fisher found unsurprising based on Johnson's character.
"That does not surprise me one bit and how he thinks and what he does, and again, has confidence in himself and knew he was going to get his opportunities," said Fisher. "Again, have my hats off to him and I have the utmost respect for him."
The Aggies return to Kyle Field on Oct. 7 to take on No. 12 Alabama at 2:30 p.m.
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