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Texas A&M Football: 5 players to watch in 2017 spring game

By Collin Wieder

Nov 12, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jake Hubenak (10) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jake Hubenak (10) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas A&M football’s spring game will feature a big-time, three-player quarterback battle, but multiple players need to showcase big improvements this spring.

In what will be Kevin Sumlin’s make or break season, the Maroon and White Spring Game features key players trying to save his job. Texas A&M football suffered through three consecutive 8-5 seasons and needs at least nine wins to keep Sumlin afloat. In order to do so, the Aggies need a capable leader under center.

Furthermore, they need a reloaded defense on top of their returning 2016 talent. The Aggies lost both edge rushers, which means the middle needs to be the hammer. It will make for an interesting 2017 with Sumlin’s job at stake. He’ll have plenty of playmakers to help him get there, but will it be enough?

The entire season really comes down to quarterback development. Sumlin failed in two of the previous three seasons to create strong quarterback play. Trevor Knight put together a successful 2016, but his graduation leaves a void someone will have to fill.

Here are five players to watch during the 2017 spring game.

Texas A&M’s dark horse to win the quarterback battle is redshirt freshman Nick Starkel. The Liberty Christians product is the tall, pocket passer of the group. He stands at 6-foot-3 but carries a lanky 195-pound frame. He throws a beautiful deep ball with nice touch and showed he could make most throws in high school.

The second-year player’s production was respectable in high school. He threw for 4,700 yards, 48 touchdowns against 18 interceptions as a two-year starter. However, his 58.7 completion percentage doesn’t jump off the screen.

Starkel has had a year to sit and watch during his redshirt season, so he should have a leg up on incoming freshman Kellen Mond. However, his less-than-ideal athleticism hurts his chances at the job. The Aggies’ offense likes to run zone reads and he’s not a great option for that. With running backs Keith Ford and Trayveon Williams back, the Aggies will want to take advantage of that. I think he’s still an important player to watch, because he’s still in the battle, and college football is unpredictable.