COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The pecking order behind Texas A&M's starting quarterback is taking shape, and redshirt freshman Brady Hart holds the early edge. Head coach Mike Elko announced Tuesday during a report-day news conference that Hart will enter preseason camp as the Aggies' No. 2 quarterback, setting the stage for an intriguing battle among three young signal-callers.

“Backup quarterback — Brady will go into camp as the No. 2,” Elko said. “Obviously, Helaman [Casuga] and Eli Morcos are going to try to uproot him. We’ll kind of see how that plays itself out.”

Hart, a Cocoa, Florida, native, saw limited action last season, appearing in two games and completing 5 of 10 passes for 62 yards. All five of his completions came during the Aggies' November 22 victory over Samford. As a three-star recruit out of high school, he drew offers from Michigan, Arkansas, Clemson, and Florida, among others, before choosing Texas A&M. In the spring game, Hart completed 9 of 16 passes for 74 yards, showing flashes of the arm talent that made him a sought-after prospect.

Eli Morcos, also a redshirt freshman, is entering his second season in College Station. The three-star recruit from Montgomery Lake Creek High School in Texas has been working to refine his skills. In the spring game, Morcos connected on 4 of 6 passes for 60 yards, demonstrating efficiency in limited opportunities.

True freshman Helaman Casuga, a four-star prospect from Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, is entering his first season with the Aggies. He experienced an early interception in the spring game but rebounded to throw the game-winning touchdown to Luke Braden for the White Team. Casuga's mobility and arm strength have drawn notice, and he is expected to push for playing time.

The trio will support incumbent starter Marcel Reed, who has been a steady presence for the Aggies over the past three seasons. Reed has thrown for 5,407 yards and 41 touchdowns while completing 61.6% of his passes. He has also added 1,081 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, making him a dual-threat weapon. His experience and production give Texas A&M a reliable leader under center.

During spring practice, Elko praised the competition among the quarterbacks, noting that the young players are becoming more comfortable within the system. “We want to see who gives you the best chance to win and be successful when the fall comes around and we’ll see who that is,” Elko said. “I think what we have is two young kids with really talented arms — and I think you could throw Eli Morcos into that mix as well — who look a lot more comfortable operating in the system right now.”

As preseason camp begins, the focus will be on developing depth behind Reed. Hart's early designation as the No. 2 does not guarantee he will hold the role throughout the season, but it gives him a clear advantage. Morcos and Casuga will have opportunities to prove themselves in practice and scrimmages, and Elko has made it clear that the team's philosophy is to put the best players on the field. The Aggies are aiming to build on Reed's strong foundation while grooming the next generation of quarterbacks for the future.