COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Marcel Reed takes his role as a Texas A&M captain very seriously and believes building relationships off the field will pay dividends on it.
asserted
building → take → it
The senior quarterback says he can name every teammate he’s had in four years with the Aggies and spent the offseason hosting trips and activities for the players.
asserted
he → say → players
“Just doing things and making sure we all bond,” he said.
asserted
he → do → things
“I spend time with everyone on the team, not just the offense to make sure we’re all connected.
asserted
we → spend → team
Because when it all comes down to it, we’re going to need each other.
asserted
we → come → other
After No. 8 Texas A&M reached the College Football Playoff for the first time last season, Reed spent the offseason working on himself and doing everything possible to build chemistry within the team.
asserted
Reed → reach → team
While he spent time with the entire team, including at a party with a bounce house, he made a special effort to plan things for the other skill players.
asserted
he → spend → players
They took trips to Florida, Dallas and Houston and he hosted them in his hometown of Nashville where they mixed work and fun.
asserted
they → take → work
They worked out and he got some throwing in with them at D1 Training.
asserted
he → work → Training
After their workout, he was thrilled to take everyone to his favorite restaurant, Sunda, where they tried a bit of everything but were wowed by the Korean fried chicken bao buns.
asserted
they → take → buns
“Being a quarterback, having experience and being older, I think people respect me and also respect my voice,” he said.
asserted
he → have → voice
Reed hopes that his experience will translate to continued success for him and the Aggies after they opened the season 11-0 before a loss to rival Texas and a 10-3 defeat to Miami in their playoff game.
asserted
they → hop → game
The Aggies had a shot to tie that game against the Hurricanes with less than 30 seconds to go with a third-and-goal from the 5.
asserted
Aggies → have → 5
Reed was picked off to seal Miami’s victory.
asserted
Reed → pick → victory
He tries not to dwell on that play, but he has studied it so he can make a better decision the next time he’s in a similar position.
asserted
he → try → position
The 22-year-old said he believes he’s grown a lot since that loss.
asserted
he → say → loss
He’s studied tons of film, particularly to watch protections and blitzes and to see how he can better direct the rest of the offense to succeed.
asserted
rest → study → offense
It’s work that hasn’t gone unnoticed by coach Mike Elko.
asserted
that → ’ → Elko
“He’s taken the step we hoped he would take,” Elko said.
asserted
Elko → take → step
“I think he’s much more comfortable, much more confident, knows the reads, knows what the progressions need to look like.
asserted
progressions → think → what
I think his footwork looks cleaner, ball delivery looks cleaner and so (I’m) excited for him.”
Reed threw for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding six rushing scores last season.
asserted
Reed → think → scores
But after throwing a career-high 12 interceptions, including two apiece in Texas A&M’s two losses, he’s focused on taking better care of the ball as he enters his third season as a starter.
asserted
he → throw → starter
“Not make a bad play worse,” he said.
asserted
he → make → ?
“Just taking what they give me and moving on when I need to.”
asserted
I → take → me
The Aggies are counting on his experience to steady an offense that returns just one starting lineman from last season and has a first-year coordinator in Holmon Wiggins.
asserted
that → count → Wiggins
Wiggins, who was promoted when Collin Klein left to become the Kansas State coach, knows Reed’s performance will be the key to Texas A&M’s success.
asserted
performance → promote → success
“We’re trying to tailor everything to his skill set,” Wiggins said.
asserted
Wiggins → try → set
“Now you see him doing some stuff and actually taking more command of the offense because there’s more understanding of what it is, and a lot of that comes with experience and also time on the job, so he’s continuing to build confidence through our practices.”
asserted
he → see → practices
The Aggies open the season Sept. 5 against Missouri State in the first of three straight home games.
asserted
Aggies → open → games
Reed knows outside expectations are high for his team, but he wants everyone to know that he expects big things, too.
asserted
he → know → things
Asked what people should expect from the Aggies this season he paused and smiled before delivering an answer.
“The biggest thing they should expect is wins,” he said.
asserted
he → ask → answer
The Aporia
