Would the last Texas A&M QB to transfer turn out the light?
Texas A&M seems to have a problem with quarterbacks since Johnny Manziel won the Heisman.
This week we’ve found out that quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray have both transferred from the school, amid rumors that they couldn’t get on with Kevin Sumlin and offensive co-ordinator Jake Spavital. Spavital is already in the 12th Man’s spotlight after an uninspiring 2015 season.
So what’s the story of A&M’s awful quarterbacking story since Manziel left?
First of all the anointed Kenny ‘Trill’ Hill decided to transfer to TCU after he started incredibly in 2014 and fell off a cliff. You can probably blame a bit of player arrogance (after he threw for 511 yards and 4 TDs against South Carolina on the Opening Day of 2014 his parents decided to trademark the name ‘Trill’) and a fall-off of confidence. He may well start in 2015 now that Brandon Boykin’s graduated.
That was fine – A&M had Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. The Aggies had beaten Texas to Murray’s signature on National Signing Day. The QB from Allen was – you guessed it – the Gatorade Player Of The Year – after throwing for 4,713 yards and 54 TDs in Allen, TX.
Well, Kyle Allen started the show at Texas A&M, and everybody had a big smile on their face. The defense was playing well, and people were saying the words: “Texas A&M” and “Possible College Football Player/ SEC Champion”.
Then came A&M’s game with Alabama. Allen threw THREE PICK SIXES, and the bandwagon fell off the rails. Murray – who up to then hadn’t played very much (and still went 1:2 in the TD:INT ratio) started against Western Carolina. He was ordinary (he threw for four TDs and five INTs) during his time starting – which was certainly not what the Aggies fans – who had anointed Murray as the saviour of Kyle Field – had expected.
Anyway, what’s going at Texas A&M?
Here’s what we think has happened:
- Over-promising: Kevin Sumlin is a master recruiter. We know this. But for us, we think that Kevin Sumlin is also the master of over-promising quarterbacks that they will be future Johnny Manziels, start every game, and will win National Championships. Top recruit Tate Martell should probably watch out.
- Over-reaction from Aggies fans/The Media: Kyler Murray had a horrible start as a A&M quarterback and was immediately crucified by the Aggie faithful. They expect proven high school quarterbacks (Hill was brilliant at Southlake Carroll and Murray was equally awesome at Allen) to automatically become exceptional in the SEC. Or not throw six interceptions to the State of Alabama. The media happily jumps on the poor starts, and before you know it, everybody’s unhappy.
- Huge pressure on the players….from themselves: Imagine if you’re a former Gatorade Player Of The Year, who has thrown all the touchdowns you can imagine and slept with all of the high school hotties you can also imagine, and you walk into the SEC. You automatically think: ‘I am going to be incredible’. Then it fails. The fans boo you. You hate yourself. You decide you can’t handle the pressure. You blame Kevin Sumlin, Coach Spavital…..everyone but yourself. Because it was the receivers who weren’t running the right routes. It was the offensive line who didn’t block for you. You’re perfect, right? Maybe some other school and staff should see your perfection.
- Bad coaching? If you believe Aggies fans, blame Jake Spavital. It’s all his fault. And if things don’t work out, then blame Kevin Sumlin.