Texas A&M’s quarterback outlook is already murky, and now one of the biggest names in college football has been tossed into the conversation.
With redshirt junior Marcel Reed showing regression and backup Brady Hart likely not ready to step in as the starter this season or in 2027, the Aggies may be forced to shop for a high-end quarterback in the transfer portal. Coach Mike Elko would probably have to land a top-level signal caller and pay a hefty price tag to get him.
There are already other names worth monitoring, including Alabama backup quarterback Austin Mack and Oregon State QB Brandon Atkenson, both of whom are expected to draw serious interest from Power Four programs that need help behind center.
But the buzz this week centered on Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
Texas has dropped two straight SEC games to unranked Oklahoma and Florida, and Manning struggled in both. Against Florida’s poor secondary, he passed for just 173 yards and one touchdown. That stretch has fueled speculation about what comes next if the Longhorns keep slipping.
On "That SEC Podcast," hosts Michael Bratton and Cousin Shane named several possible landing spots for Manning if Texas misses the College Football Playoff for the second straight year and potentially parts ways with coach Steve Sarkisian. Texas A&M was among the programs mentioned.
Manning still has the arm talent to succeed in College Station, but the source of his troubles has been pretty clear: Sarkisian’s stubborn play-calling and shaky protection up front have helped drive Texas’s surprise losing streak. The comparison made in the report was to former Texas A&M quarterback and Houston Cougars star Conner Weigman, who could also benefit from a fresh start in the NFL.
That said, Texas A&M does not appear to be the most likely team to get involved if Manning enters the transfer portal. Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss - where his grandfather and uncle played - South Carolina and Tennessee were also listed as possible suitors.
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That faith went both ways. Gilgeous-Alexander signed a $172 million extension in 2021 before he had even made his first All-Star team, and the bet paid off as he moved from promising centerpiece to the face of a champion. Oklahoma Citys climb peaked in 2024-25 with a title run that also brought Gilgeous-Alexander MVP, scoring title and Finals MVP honors, the kind of finish that makes the early patience look even smarter in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]
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Thunder May Face A Brutal Otega Oweh Decision Soon
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The timing matters because the Thunder are already operating at their two-way limit, a restriction that previously kept them from adding Dalton Knecht. With that kind of roster squeeze, Owehs situation is no longer just about recovery, but about whether Oklahoma City decides it can afford to keep a spot tied up by a player who is expected to miss significant time. [Read more 🡒]