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.
In Other News...
Oklahoma Heads Into A True Gut Check With Key Spots Under Pressure
Oklahoma heads into Week 8 with the kind of injury uncertainty that can quickly reshape a game plan, especially on offense. The Sooners are getting ready for Mississippi State while trying to navigate a battered front and keep enough stability around key pieces like Jake Maikkula, Noah Best and E'Marion Harris, a group whose availability could matter just as much as production this week.
There are still a few names worth tracking beyond the offensive line, starting with Manny Choice after his strong showing last week and Jonathan Hatton Jr. in the backfield, while Trystan Haynes remains part of the defensive equation. For Oklahoma, the challenge is less about the matchup on paper than whether the roster can hold together long enough to turn recent frustration into a needed response. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Has A Few Players Who Must Deliver In Starkville
Oklahoma heads to Starkville dealing with some familiar early-season uncertainty up front, and that makes the margin for error a little thinner than usual. With injuries on the offensive line complicating the Sooners preparation, the emphasis shifts quickly from comfort to survival, especially against a Mississippi State defense that will be looking to make the visitors work for everything.
On the other side, the Bulldogs bring their own question mark in the status of starting quarterback Kamario Taylor, which adds another layer to a game already full of moving parts. For Oklahoma, the bigger issue may be whether the right players can steady the offense while the defense does its part against a Mississippi State attack that has its own tendencies to sort through before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
OU Faces A Huge Defensive Question Heading Into Mississippi State
Brent Venables is planning for the kind of week that keeps defensive staffs up late. As Oklahoma gets ready for Mississippi State, the Sooners are preparing as if quarterback Kamario Taylor will be available, even though his recent injuries have left his status in question. Taylor has been central to the Bulldogs' offense and entered the matchup leading the SEC in passing yards and touchdowns, which makes his availability a major issue for an Oklahoma defense trying to sort out its game plan.
Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby has called Taylor day-to-day, and backup Billy Puckett stepped in to start last week when Taylor was out. For the Sooners, the challenge is less about who gets the first snap and more about being ready for both versions of the offense on short notice. With an SEC matchup looming, Oklahoma has to account for Taylor's explosiveness without losing sight of the possibility that Puckett could again be the one under center. [Read more 🡒]