With college football’s Spring Games just around the corner during the 2018 offseason, some focus should fall on Texas A&M football’s Nick Starkel.
Texas A&M football has the right answer at quarterback in 2018, with rising sophomore Nick Starkel under center. Starkel should compete with fellow rising sophomore, and former four-star dual-threat quarterback, Kellen Mond. After a huge cap for the Texas A&M offense to the 2017 campaign, with a thrilling shootout in a Belk Bowl loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Starkel is ready to lead the way in 2018.
To start out on the right note, Starkel needs to start well in a huge Week 2 battle against the Clemson Tigers. Potentially the No. 1 team in the nation to kick off the 2018 campaign, Clemson is about as tough of a test as a young quarterback like Starkel could face.
There was not a much better way that Starkel could finish off the 2017 campaign, than with his nearly 500 passing yard performance in the postseason. He capped off his first college season with 14 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. There’s definitely some room to grow, but he’s primed to be the most consistent quarterback the Aggies’ offense has seen in a while.
Entering 2018, the clear Heisman favorite is Stanford Cardinal star running back Bryce Love, who was the runner up in 2017. Outside of Love, there’s a range of players that could contend for the award. And, the SEC West is always a division that gets a ton of national attention.
Despite the spotlight that Texas A&M football always finds itself in, Starkel is not getting the respect he deserves. First-year head coach Jimbo Fisher should give him the tools necessary to succeed in possibly the toughest division in the nation.
Starkel will have the supporting cast for a Heisman run. Rising sophomore wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon is among the most talked about breakout players for 2018. Starting running back Trayveon Williams is poised for a bounce back season too.
An elevation from the seven win mark Texas A&M notched in 2017 puts a lot of praise on the shoulders of Starkel. Someone needs to break the Aggies out of mediocrity and this rising sophomore looks up to the task.
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Starkel does have the ability to throw for more than 3,000 yards and compile at least 30 total touchdowns this year. As long as he stays healthy and the Aggies are able to elevate the level of play around him, Starkel is a potential Heisman candidate in the coming years.