Aggies Tentative Hold on QB Position Slipping with Kyler Murray Transfer
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
There is now no doubt trouble in the Texas A&M pocket after the transfer of Kenny Hill at the end of the 2014 season, Kyle Allen at the end of the 2015 season, and the now confirmed transfer request of Kyler Murray. All of the negative attention surrounding the state of affairs regarding the highly touted quarterbacks further points out troubles for head coach Kevin Sumlin in College Station.
Per multiple sources, Murray and his family met for a second consecutive day with the Aggies coaching staff. Murray did not attend the first day of practice in preparation for the Dec. 30 Music City Bowl against Louisville and was reportedly encouraged to go home a second day to think everything through. What was discussed in the meetings has not been made public, but one can assume the direction of the offense and if offensive coordinator Jake Spavital will remain on staff are a couple of the talking points.
On Wednesday, Sumlin, now looking back, was seemingly trying to get out in front of the quickly building story but may have spoken too soon stating Murray would play in the Music City Bowl and would go through spring practices and play for the Aggies baseball team over the spring and summer. All of that is back on shaky ground after A&M officials confirmed that Murray is indeed considering a transfer.
The background story building to this moment.
Hill started the 2014 lightening hot for the Aggies guiding the team to a 5-0 record throwing for 511 yards in Week 1 against South Carolina. Hill continued to play well even through back-to-back losses to Mississippi State (48-31) and Ole Miss (35-20) throwing for 365 yards with four touchdowns and 401 yards with two touchdowns but threw a combined five interceptions in the two defeats. The following game, against Alabama, would be Hills’ last with the Aggies. Hill completed 17 of 26 passes for 138 yards with one pick.
Sumlin then turned to freshman Kyle Allen to right the ship. The Aggies went 3-2 down the backstretch with Allen passing for 1,322 yards, 16 touchdowns, and seven picks. In the offseason, Hill transferred to TCU opening a clear pathway for Allen. But potential trouble was brewing.
Sumlin recruited Texas high school football legend Kyler Murray to College Station. Murray won three state championships without losing a game while putting up video game like statistics. The dual-threat must have been promised playing time because once the season began Sumlin used both Allen and Murray under center. Allen would eventually win the job with Murray getting snaps here and there.
Allen played well through the first five games of the season but then the Aggies suffered another mid-season slump this time losing two games. Sumlin hit the panic button again benching Allen for the South Carolina and Auburn games before bringing him back on limited snaps against Western Carolina. Allen started the final two games against Vanderbilt and LSU.
Murray got snaps in during seven contests but only really got a good feel or rhythm for the game in Games 8-10; South Carolina, Auburn, and Western Carolina. Allen did not wow with his stats coming up with a career best 223 yards on 20 of 28 passing with one touchdown against the Gamecocks. Against Auburn he threw three picks and the Aggies lost 26-10.
Sumlin’s in ability to be patient through a learning curve with his quarterbacks seems, from the outside looking in, to be one of the bigger problems in College Station. The passing game is great and the Aggies have a lot of talent in their receiving corps. Tra Carson had a nice season rushing for 1,059 yards and six touchdowns showing some promise of a return running game to balance out the offense.
No two ways around it, Sumlin got lucky with Johnny Manziel getting 11 wins in 2012 while guiding him to a Heisman Trophy during his redshirt freshman season. For all that Manziel was on the field for the Aggies, that came with a lot of luck which was not fully replicated in wins the following year finishing with nine wins. If Sumlin cannot show patience to help the maturation process of his quarterbacks, he may not be in College Station much longer.
Jake Hubenak seems to be the next in line for Texas A&M under center. Hubenak, a sophomore from Georgetown (TX) played in parts of four games completing 12 of 27 passes for 92 yards with one touchdown. If he has a bad first half and gets benched, who will Sumlin play next?
Photo credit: chron.com; No. 1 Kyler Murray celebrates a play with fellow true freshman Christian Kirk.