How Texas AM quarterback switch affects Miami football
Texas A&M is starting LSU transfer, Max Johnson at quarterback over Haynes King who started the first two games for the Aggies in 2022. Johnson is the nephew of Mark Richt, the former head coach and QB for the Miami football program and the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Superbowl-winning signal caller Brad Johnson.
Johnson’s mother Nikki is Richt’s sister. King has struggled in two games this season. Against Sam Houston State and Appalachian State, King completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 461 yards three touchdowns and two interceptions. Appalachian State held King to 13-20 for 97 yards with no TDs or interceptions.
King is a much bigger threat as a runner than Johnson. Through the first two games this season, King has 14 carries for 52 yards. King has 26 carries for 119 yards in his career. Johnson has 132 carries for 78 yards and three TDs in his collegiate career. Johnson is the far more efficient passer.
In two seasons at LSU Johnson completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,884 passing yards, 35 TDs and seven interceptions. In his third season, King has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 820 yards, six TDs and six interceptions. Miami has struggled with mobile QBs this season.
The switch by Texas A&M from King to Johnson could benefit the Miami football team. Miami will be able to concentrate more on the QB as a passer than a runner with Johnson starting. The Hurricanes still have to remain discplined. Johnson had 32 carries for 97 yards with two TDs in his final two starts in 2020.
Texas A&M should have a far better passing offense with Johnson at QB. The passing numbers for King this year are inflated by his performance versus FCS Sam Houston State in the season opener. The 4.85 yards per attempt King averaged versus Appalachian State last week were anemic.
Texas A&M should have the ability to throw the ball downfield more with Johnson. The Aggies are 90th nationally with 16 completions of 10 or more yards. The Aggies are 94th with five completions of 20 or more yards. The primary receivers for Texas A&M, Ainias Smith and Evan Williams have only 10 receptions each.
Next. Miami keys on Saturday from Texas A&M site Gig Em Gazette. dark
Neither Smith nor Williams have produced a lot of big plays this season. Miami has had a propensity to allow big plays in the passing game. Miami is 101st nationally allowing nine pass plays of 20 or more yards this season. That has to change on Saturday night in College Station.