Texas A&M HC Jimbo Fisher discusses what Aggies QB Max Johnson needs to do to take the next step vs. Tennessee
Before Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) heads to Knoxville (TN) to take on the Tennessee Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC), Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher made his weekly appearance during Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference to discuss that he expects for Vols head coach Josh Heupel’s offense/defense, specifically the up and down plays of big-armed quarterback Joe Milton.
Knowing that Neyland Stadium will do its best to emulate Kyle Field’s impact on Alabama last weekend (nine false starts), the Vol’s defensive pass rush, ranked second in the country with 22 sacks on the year, will likely keep Fisher and his staff up at night going into Saturday’s afternoon kickoff.
While the Aggies possess an elite pass rush of their own, leading the country in sacks (26) and tackles for loss (57), earning a ranked SEC road win will start and end at the feet of quarterback Max Johnson, who was less than stellar last weekend in the 26-20 loss to the Crimson Tide. With no help from the offensive line in the second half, Johnson failed to survive the Tide’s blitz attack, pressured on 18 out of 36 of his dropback attempts (52.9%) while only completing 5/14 for 74 yards and one interception under pressure.
So, where can he improve ahead of the team’s biggest game of the season thus far? Fisher is adamant that Johnson can make a significant impact and continue improving:
“I think Max has a great understanding. He’s unbelievably competitive and stuff high character. And I think just as he feels comfortable in these situations, you get through your reads, and you get the ball out quicker and accurately. And I think that goes for any level of quarterback. You see that. And I always tell quarterbacks, too, where’s my outlet when they get in trouble? Where do I have to throw it away? I think that’s something, and that’s not just him. I think that’s any quarterback you have. You can always improve that.”
Despite the high-pressure rate, Johnson still made some key throws to move the chains, but as Fisher notes, he’ll need to improve getting the ball out quicker, but that’s a two-way street between a receiving core that failed to separate at a high rate last weekend.
“And the different rushes and what he is doing, he does a great job of recognizing where things are coming from, and I think if he feels more comfortable with the guys. He’s going to continue to get out even quicker and better. And he made some phenomenal plays the other day under duress and getting the ball out. So, just continuing those things and just when those being selective about where he gets the ball. Just don’t be afraid to distribute the ball. And when somebody’s open. We have some guys that can run and catch it deep, but they also can run with it. So I think he keeps growing in that, in that regard.”
Preparing for the crowd noise, more pressure in the pocket, and sporadic moments of joy/frustration, Texas A&M’s 2023 season is nowhere near complete. Still, to accomplish any one of their remaining goals, Max Johnson’s continued development will likely determine the final outcome week to week.
Texas A&M will travel to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m. CT, inside Neyland Stadium (TV: CBS).
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