Alright, so New Mexico State has their presumptive starting quarterback: Trey Hedden. Aggies coach Tony Sanchez dropped the news on Monday during the Conference USA Kickoff Show, straight up saying the Furman transfer “has the nod” heading into fall camp. Sounds good, right? Like they found their guy. But hold up, because Sanchez immediately followed that up with, “Right now, he’s gotta fight to keep it.” That’s the real talk, and it tells you everything you need to know about how this QB battle is gonna go. It’s far from over, despite the early favor.
Why Hedden’s Got the Edge, For Now
Look, Sanchez isn’t just throwing a dart here. He went deep on why Hedden is the frontrunner during CUSA Media Day. First off, the dude’s a beast physically: “He’s a big six-three, 230-pound kid.” That’s exactly the kind of stature you want under center. Beyond the size, Sanchez talked up Hedden’s football IQ, his leadership skills, and that he brings some serious starting experience to the table. He apparently had a “really good spring” for the Aggies, impressing the staff when they sat down in the film room, talked X’s and O’s, and saw his decision-making on the field. You can tell Sanchez is excited about him, but it’s clear the veteran coach knows this is a competition that’s still cooking.
The Numbers Tell a Wild Story: Hedden vs. Damante
Here’s where it gets interesting, especially when you dig into Hedden’s past. This isn’t some fresh-faced kid; he’s got a track record. In 2024, at Furman, he made the All-Southern Conference Freshman Team, starting eight games with 1,767 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Not bad for a freshman, but those nine picks are something to watch. Last season, he was the full-time starter, upping his game to 2,967 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, but also throwing 13 interceptions. He did snag SoCon Offensive Player of the Week after a stellar 314-yard, two-TD, zero-INT game against Campbell. But still, the overall interception count is pretty high.
Then there’s Adam Damante, the returning redshirt junior. This guy isn’t just gonna roll over. He was the backup last season and got two starts against UTEP and Middle Tennessee when the regular starter got hurt, throwing for 564 yards, five touchdowns, and three picks. He also started six games at Northern Arizona in 2023. So, yeah, this is a real competition, even if Hedden has “the nod.” These guys even modeled NMSU’s new black Adidas uniform together, which is pretty wild given they’re fighting for the same job!
What’s Next for the Aggies’ QB Room
So, what does this all mean? Sanchez isn’t shying away from the fact that Hedden has “work to do” and that “other guys in the room with him that’ll push him.” Fall camp is gonna be huge. Hedden’s got the advantage with his experience and going through spring and summer with the team, developing a rapport. But Damante’s got starting experience at two different schools and proved he can step up when called upon. It’s a true battle for that QB1 spot. Aggie fans are gonna be glued to every single practice report as fall camp kicks off, waiting to see if Hedden can truly solidify his grip on the starting job, or if Damante can make a run at it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply