Jimbo Fisher announced Wednesday that Haynes King will become Texas A&M's starting quarterback.
Fisher said that King, a redshirt freshman of Longview, Texas, at 6'3" and 200 lbs, will replace Kellen Mond, the Aggies' four-year starter who led them to No. Before being picked in the third round by the Minnesota Vikings, King finished fourth last year. Texas A&M was the No. This year's preseason AP poll ranked Texas A&M at No. 6, the Aggies highest ranking since 1995.
QB1 = @haynes_king10
Jimbo Fisher, Head Coach of the Texas A&M Athletics Communications tells @johngranato & @LanceZierlein that King will be the quarterback to open the season at home against Kent State on Sept. 4. #GigEm pic.twitter.com/4aKBbcKEkk Texas A&M Athletics Communications (@12thmanPR) August 25, 2021
King, the No. 46 recruit in 2020 ESPN300 and No. 2nd-ranked dual-threat quarterback in class, edging out sophomore Zach Calzada. Both quarterbacks have not had much experience in the game. King, the coach of Longview High School, was the first Texas state champion in 81 years. He played only two games last year as Mond's top backup.
King's growth will be crucial for the Aggies in their quest to challenge Alabama in SEC West. They also plan to bring in four new offensive linemen. The Aggies were the SEC's best rushing offense last year, but they want to improve their passing game which ranked 59th (ninth SEC) at 234.1 yards per match.
At the Aggies' media conference on Aug. 8, Darrell Dickey, offensive coordinator, stated that King brings a new dynamic.
Dickey stated that "Haynes will be a guy who can really extend plays, probably keep the defense more honest or scared with his ability make plays with his feet." But King and Calzada have been in our system. They are familiar with all aspects of offense. It doesn't mean we have to start the season thinking that we need to tone it down or taper from Kellen.
