Nick Starkel named Texas A&M’s starting QB vs. UCLA, per report

Redshirt freshman Nick Starkel will start at quarterback for Texas A&M on Sunday at UCLA, reports Taylor Hamm.

Starkel gets the starting job over senior Jake Hubenak and true freshman Kellen Mond. Hubenak is the team’s top returning passer with 1,283 career yards and nine touchdowns while Mond is a four-star dual-threat out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Starkel threw for 7,836 yards and 77 touchdowns in high school – three with Southlake Carroll and his senior year at Liberty Christian. He was an Elite 11 finalist and committed to Oklahoma State before switching to Texas A&M in January 2016.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder completed 10-27 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown in the Aggies’ spring game. He is the eighth starting quarterback for A&M under head coach Kevin Sumlin. First-time starters hold a 5-2 record with 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and Hubenak recording losses.