Jimbo Fisher provides update on Haynes King bowl availability

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher offered an update Sunday on the bowl availability of quarterback Haynes King, per The Athletic’s Sam Khan Jr. Although Fisher said it’s a “stretch” that King will play in the game, he added that he may return to the practice field.

The Aggies are set to face Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl at 11 a.m. ET on New Year’s Eve. King, who began the season as the starter, suffered a broken right tibia in Week 2 against Colorado.

“He just now started to be able to run, so playing would probably be a far cry,” Fisher said.

King, a redshirt freshman from Longview, Texas, was set to lead A&M for the first time in his career. He spent 2020 as a backup to veteran Kellen Mond. In his first career start against Kent State in Week 1, King finished 21-of-33 passing for 292 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

King was the No. 118 overall player and No. 9 quarterback in the 2020 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He led his high school to a 6A Texas state championship as a junior in 2018. His father, John King, was his high school coach.

Redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada stepped in following the injury to King. He has remained the starter from Week 3 on, finishing the regular season with 2,185 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The Aggies struggled following the injury to King, losing their first two games in SEC play. They found their footing in the third to hand Alabama its only loss of the season behind 285 yards and three touchdowns from Calzada.

Texas A&M finished the season with an 8-4 record in Fisher’s fourth season, solid considering the adversity they faced, but still not quite where they want to be. The update on the bowl availability of Haynes King suggests the quarterback is working his way back.

Perhaps with him on the field, 2022 can be a more fruitful season.