2022 SEC Media Days takeaways: Texas A&M's time to contend is now, Auburn's success hinges on heated QB battle

SEC Media Days wrapped up Thursday with the Aggies, Tigers and Tennessee taking the stage in Atlanta

ATLANTA – The circus has left town. Day 4 of SEC Media Days is in the books, with Auburn, Tennessee and Texas A&M finishing up the festivities Thursday at the College Football Hall of Fame. 

Tigers coach Bryan Harsin was bombarded with questions about his job security, which came into question in February when an inquiry was launched into his management of the program. He addressed those early in his 30 minutes on the main stage and throughout his trip though the car wash, in an attempt to put more of the focus on his team's 2022 season.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher was handed questions about his spat with Alabama coach Nick Saban and the status of wide receiver Ainias Smith, who was arrested and charged with DWI, unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana Wednesday morning and didn't make the trip with the Aggies contingent. 

Let's break down primary takeaways from the final day of the SEC's most prominent offseason event.

Texas A&M is setting itself up for a run

The Aggies are considered one of the top contenders to make the College Football Playoff, which would be a big jump for a team that went 8-4 last year. Why? Part of it is because Fisher became the first former Saban assistant to top his mentor last season in a 41-38 stunner in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M lost several veteran leaders like running back Isaiah Spiller and defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, which has placed more importance on some of the younger players this offseason. If Texas A&M is going to contend, it's going to have to have those players step up as the Aggies go through fall camp.

"Everybody in this league has players," Fisher said. "Everybody in this league has good coaches. It's what you do and how you play. We can sit up here and say what we're going to do, how we're going to do it, how good we feel, but it's about what we do and creating a culture within our organization, which we feel like we have. The young guys have adapted to it very well. I'm very pleased with our senior leadership right now with a lot of guys jumping out and doing a really good job."

The biggest piece of that puzzle is at quarterback. That's the most pivotal piece for every team, but more so in Fisher's offense that demands deep knowledge of the intricacies of the playbook. Last year's opening day starter Haynes King, ex-LSU starter Max Johnson and hot shot freshman early enrollee Conner Weigman have given Fisher more of a quarterback luxury than a quarterback battle.

"Finally, as I say, at the end of spring, you finally saw Max starting to grasp what we were trying to do," Fisher said. "You saw Haynes' health come in. Really in the last month, I've seen his feet, the way he's throwing the ball, he's really jumped out at me. Conner, so natural and effortless. As he grasps what's going on... It's going to be a fun battle. Last year we needed three. You saw Zach [Calzada] in the Alabama game. As I said before, he took -- he had a knee hit, came back from that. In the Auburn game he actually popped his shoulder back in place, and the doc said he could play, so he played. You really need a third guy. Having three guys, that's rare in today's time. But I think we got three outstanding guys. I'm very excited to work with them."

The Aggie faithful demand Fisher to win a national title. The Aggies are set up for success heading into 2022. Now, it's all about following through.

Auburn's QB battle will be heated

Harsin's offseason drama led the talking points for the Tigers, but the quarterback battle is much more important moving forward. Incumbent T.J. Finley, ex-Texas A&M signal-caller Zach Calzada and ex-Oregon dual-threat weapon Robby Ashford are vying for the top spot on the depth chart. Of the three, Finley has the most experience under Harsin after starting the final three games of the 2021 season while Ashford is the local kid who provides a neutralizing effect for an offense that struggled with consistency last year. 

The three starters have impressed the rest of their teammates as they've engaged in this three-way fight.

"It's a testament of those guys," said Auburn tight end John Samuel Shenker. "They work so hard. They're also in the rooms and talking with the coaches just trying to better themselves. Especially during this quarterback battle. We'll see that as fall camp starts. This is where all the hard work pays off. We'll see that battle as it convenes. We'll see what happens as we push through into the season."

It'll be interesting to see what happens in fall camp. Calzada had very limited participation in spring practice, but should be up to speed come fall camp. Harsin told CBS Sports that he isn't opposed to a two-quarterback system, which suggests that Ashford could be in the mix since he provides a different element.

Stay tuned. It's about to get fun on The Plains.

Hendon Hooker a dark horse candidate?

Hooker, the second-year starting quarterback of the Tennessee Volunteers, tossed 31 touchdown passes, only three interceptions, rushed for 613 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground despite not starting under center for coach Josh Heupel until the third game of the season.

Is the best yet to come? Hooker sees plenty of room for improvement in his second season with the Vols after transferring from Virginia Tech.

"Just being patient and not trying to rush my reads and not rush my decisions," Hooker said. "Just being relaxed and in total control of the offense. Trying to lead my teammates is my end goal and motivate them on and off the field. Just having a positive attitude and bring joy every day on and off the field."

Heupel is very pleased with the progress  Hooker has made.

"Has taken great strides in the offseason," Heupel said. "A young man that had an opportunity to declare for the draft, came back to our program I believe because of the culture we have, the improvements he knew he could make in coming back in helping his career as he steps to that next level after the season is over. Hendon is a pure winner. He is a great leader inside of our program. I think from year one to year two, that's one of the things that he's really been able to gravitate to and grab ahold of, is that leadership component. Everybody inside of our building feels his energy and focus every single day."

Hooker plays in an offense that operates at one of the fastest in the country. In other words, Hooker and the rest of the Vols will be able to dictate the style of the game more times than not. If Hooker is at the top of his game, it could elevate the Volunteers to contender status behind Georgia in the SEC East.

[Jul 21, 2022 at 1:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban

Jimbo Fisher went for the "it's all in the past" angle with his offseason Nick Saban beef. Said he's got a lot of respect for Saban and for Alabama and referenced what Saban has said about all the arguments they used to have in staff meetings and in pickup basketball. So there you have it. At least publicly, they've put the beef behind them and are saying they've learned from it. Jimbo also expressed frustration again with the lack of uniformity surrounding NIL rules.

[Jul 21, 2022 at 1:03 pm ET · David Cobb]

Texas A&M's future permanent opponents

Jimbo Fisher didn't shy away from a question on who he'd like to see as Texas A&M's permanent rivals in a revamped SEC scheduling format. Goes with Texas and LSU as two who would/should be permanent rivals for the Aggies. A third would likely be either Arkansas or Mississippi State, per Fisher. Aggies vs. Longhorns would be great on annual basis.

[Jul 21, 2022 at 11:28 am ET · Barrett Sallee]

Tank's decision to stay

Auburn running back Tank Bigsby elected to stay at Auburn instead of transferring. The decision to stay was difficult for Bigsby, but he's back and ready for a junior campaign in an offense that should feature him prominently.

"When I came to Auburn as a freshman in 2020, I just felt like this school is different. After my sophomore season, I felt the same way. I want to change and do the things I need to do for Auburn. It's a different program, and you have to be a different man to be in this program. A lot of people don't like us, and a lot of people speak bad about us, but at the end of the day we have to come to play, and we have to be ready to play. That's why I'm came to Auburn, and that's why I'm still at Auburn. I feel like we're doing to do what we have to do this year and handle our business."

[Jul 21, 2022 at 11:25 am ET · Barrett Sallee]

Hendon Hooker's big stage

The starting quarterback of the Tennessee Volunteers burst onto the SEC scene last year with 31 touchdowns and just three picks. He added 613 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, despite not starting until the third game of the season. That kind of season earned him the designation of "dark horse Heisman contender" status heading into the 2022 season. Coach Josh Heupel is happy with where his quarterback stands heading into fall camp.

"Hendon is a pure winner. He is a great leader inside of our program. I think from year one to year two, that's one of the things that he's really been able to gravitate to and grab ahold of, is that leadership component. Everybody inside of our building feels his energy and focus every single day."