Mike Elko didn’t walk away from Texas A&M’s 41-0 win over The Citadel ready to anoint Brady Hart as the answer at quarterback.
That was the clearest takeaway from his comments after the game, even with Hart stepping in for the entire second half and putting together a solid stat line. The freshman went 8 of 12 for 107 yards, threw one touchdown and did not have an interception, giving Aggies fans at least a glimpse of what the offense can look like with a different name under center.
Still, Elko made it plain there are parts of Hart’s game he wants cleaned up.
"It was good to see Brady get out there," Elko said. "I still think he operates a little bit quicker than I'd like him to.
I'd like to see him be a little more relaxed and a a little big more comfortable in the pocket. But it was good to see him get a lot of reps."
Texas A&M has spent much of this season searching for answers at quarterback, and that uncertainty has helped drag the team to a 4-3 record. Marcel Reed has taken plenty of criticism for uneven play, and the chatter around the position only grew louder once Hart got extended playing time against The Citadel.
Hart has now appeared in three games this season. He also saw action in the Missouri State win, where he completed 4 of 8 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. But that still leaves a pretty small sample size, and it’s not nearly enough to know whether he can handle a bigger stage.
And that’s the key point here: beating The Citadel is one thing. Doing it against SEC competition is something else entirely.
Even with Reed’s struggles, he remains the veteran option, with 64 career total touchdowns and plenty of experience. Texas A&M’s coaching staff sees both quarterbacks every day in practice, and if Hart had clearly separated himself, the change likely would have already happened.
For now, Reed still holds the job and gets the chance to quiet the noise when Texas A&M faces No. 13 Alabama this weekend.
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Mike Elko Just Spotlighted An Aggie Who Could Matter Vs Alabama
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Norman answered with a career-high five catches for 88 yards, giving the Aggies another useful option in a receiver room whose depth is still worth monitoring. The next step is availability, with Ashton Bethel-Roman and Mario Craver both set to get an update after the upcoming injury report, and that could shape how much Norman's role matters when Alabama arrives. [Read more 🡒]
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Alabama Defense Is About To Test Texas A&M's Biggest Weakness
Texas A&M heads into a far bigger measuring stick after cruising past The Citadel 41-0 and turning its attention to No. 13 Alabama. The Aggies have reason for confidence on the surface, but the spotlight quickly shifts to Marcel Reed, whose road performances have been a concern throughout the season. He has taken multiple sacks away from home and has struggled to generate consistent passing efficiency, leaving Texas A&M with a clear question as it steps into a much tougher atmosphere.
Mike Elko has already said Reed will keep the starting job, so the issue is less about a quarterback change than whether the Aggies can protect him and help him settle in against one of the better defenses on the schedule. Alabama is exactly the kind of opponent that can expose those flaws, and this game should show whether Texas A&M can hide its biggest weakness or if it will be forced to live with it for another week. [Read more 🡒]