Texas A&M 2025 Season preview: QB

AggieYell.com starts its season preview of the Texas A&M football team with a look at the quarterbacks.

Cast of characters

#10, Marcel Reed; RS-So.; 6-1, 185

#9, Jacob Zeno; RS-Sr.; 6-2, 215

#16, Miles O’Neill; RS-Fr.; 6-5, 220

#13, Brady Hart; Fr.; 6-4, 195

#14, Eli Morcos; Fr.; 6-1, 205

2024 stats

Reed, 147-240 (61.3%), 1,864 yards, 15 TD, 6 INT in 11 games (8 starts); 116 carries, 543 yards (4.7 YPC), 7 TD

Zeno: 82-118 (69.5%), 819 yards, 6 TD, 5 INT in 4 games (all starts) at UAB; 37 carries, 97 yards (2.6 YPC)

O’Neill: 5-6, 51 yards, 1 TD in 1 game

Is there competition?

Yes, but not for the starting job. O’Neill and Zeno are still competing for the backup role.

Overview

Let’s face it, the season hinges on Reed’s play. He wasn’t bad for a freshman last season and he basically single-handedly demolished LSU. But there were some serious ups and downs, issues with accuracy and taking sacks he shouldn’t have. All the same, the Texas A&M coaching staff felt good enough about him to make sure he stuck around as the unchallenged starting quarterback. They didn’t have to, but there’s a strong belief Reed will be significantly improved this year.

Zeno was brought in to be a steady hand with experience who can come in and play should disaster strike. He’s only two seasons removed from having the highest completion percentage in the nation (73.6%) and throwing for 3,126 yards and 20 touchdowns. This will be his seventh season at the collegiate level, so he’s one of the most experienced quarterbacks anywhere.

O’Neill was supposed to get another year of seasoning behind Reed and Zeno, but he’s not going quietly when it comes to ceding the backup job. Tall and blessed with an absolute rocket of an arm, O’Neill has improved considerably year-over-year. He’s also shown he’s a far better runner than expected. Still, he came from the New England prep ranks, a far cry from SEC competition. Nobody would blame him if he needed a little more time.

If Zeno’s the oldest quarterback in college football — and he might be — Hart is definitely the youngest. He had just turned 16 when he arrived on campus in the spring, but he’s got a frame and an arm of a much older man. He may be the future at quarterback, but the Aggies are definitely going to want to take their time with him — something he understands.

Morcos was a very late addition after a strong senior season at Montgomery Lake Creek. Like Hart, he’s in the early stages of his collegiate development and is a couple of years away from playing (unless there is a cataclysmic disaster).

The spotlight’s on…

Reed, of course. If he takes the step forward the coaching staff thinks he can, the Aggies have a shot at the College Football Playoff and Reed could get postseason award consideration. He has that much talent. But it’s still potential, so the team goes as far as his progression takes them.

Projected Aug. 30 depth chart

Reed

Zeno

O’Neill

Hart

Morcos

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