AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas has faced dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks this season, but Texas A&M's Marcel Reed is different.
Reed earned the permanent starting job for Mike Elko's ballclub after coming in for the second half against Louisiana State and willing the Aggies to victory, accounting for four touchdowns en route to a 38-23 win. He replaced embattled sophomore Conner Weigman and has been the starter since.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Reed is a "legitimate dual-threat quarterback."
"Inserting Reed has provided a real spark for them," Sarkisian said. "They have all the normal run game with the zone read stuff, the pass game, but he has electric quickness and speed. He's a real weapon, and that's why their red zone numers are so good. You have to defend him to both run and throw, and they've tailored an offense around him."
It makes sense when you factor in who the Aggies' offensive coordinator is. It's former Kansas State Wildcats standout quarterback Collin Klein. A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012, Klein was one of the best dual-threat signal callers in the country for Kansas State. He rushed for 1,142 yards as a junior in 2011 to go with 1,918 passing yards, and as a senior, he ran for 920 yards while passing for 2,641. He accounted for 39 touchdowns and finished third in the Heisman voting in 2012.
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron, a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to college football's most outstanding defensive back, said Reed looks faster than other mobile quarterbacks the Longhorns have faced this season.
"At the end of the day, when you have a quarterback like that, you have to stay mentally focused," Barron said. "Everyone has to do their job because he can create plays with his arms and his legs."
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In nine games this season, Reed has thrown for 1,426 yards and rushed for 543 (with sack yardage removed). In a wild 43-41 4OT loss to Auburn last week, Reed threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 66 yards on 21 carries. With the sack yardage removed, Reed's rushing total was 76 yards. He had a 21-yard scramble and a 73-yard touchdown pass to Noah Thomas. Reed is an explosive play just waiting to happen.
Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe said he watched the Aggies' game against Auburn and came away impressed with Reed.
"Auburn has some guys, and he made some really good guys miss," Taffee said. "He's got a really talented arm too, and I don't want people forgot them. You have to be very disciplined and vert detailed in the back end to play a guy like that. You can't be Superman, you have to let the plays come to you, and then you have to make them."
