Second-year freshman Haynes King has been named No. 6 Texas A&M's starting quarterback, coach Jimbo Fisher told ESPN 97.5 in Houston on Wednesday. King, a former four-star recruit in A&M's 2020 class, got the starting nod over sophomore Zach Calzada in a tight battle to succeed Kellen Mond. The Aggies kick off their season on Sept. 4 at home against Kent State.
King was the backup to Mond a season ago. He appeared in two games -- a loss to Alabama and a win over South Carolina -- throwing for one touchdown and an interception. He was not named Mond's successor following spring practices, however, and it appeared the quarterback battle was tighter than expected. In A&M's Maroon and White Game, King went 16-of-31 passing for 211 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Meanwhile, Calzada went 19-for-40 for 253 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Fisher said previously that he would name a starter when there was a clear separation between the two.
"When you talk about those two guys, Zach is a very talented man and can throw the football very well," Fisher said over the summer, per 247Sports. "Everybody gets caught up with his arm. Zach is a really good athlete. He can run around. Zach is an NFL talent. I think Haynes King is an NFL talent. Haynes King can really throw the football. He's tough. He's competitive. He can run — just like Zach."
King arrived on A&M's campus last year with plenty of fanfare. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller was ranked as the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the 2020 class and the No. 19 recruit in Texas that cycle, per 247Sports Composite.
