3 Texas players who could pose a serious threat to Marcel Reed in rivalry week

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed has been a revelation this season after taking over QB1 duties from Conner Weigman midway through the season. The 20th-ranked Aggies will face their rivals, the third-ranked Texas Longhorns, in Week 14 of college football action for a chance to play in the Southeastern Conference game.

While Texax coach Steve Sarkisian might have started the season planning for Weigman as the A&M starter, Reed will be under center instead. During his weekly news conference, Sarkisian elaborated on the threat posed by Reed directed by offensive coordinator Collin Klein.

“Legitimate dual-threat quarterback. They do a nice job schematically,” Sarkisian said. “Collin Klein, coming from Kansas State and going there now, very detailed offensive system. They’ve got all the normal run game.

"They’ve got all the zone-read-run game we’ve seen in years past, quarterback runs. They’ve got the passing game. This guy has electric quickness and speed and is a real weapon."

Which three Texas players could pose a defensive threat to Marcel Reed in the crucial encounter?

#3, Anthony Hill

Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill has tallied 79 total tackles, 38 solo tackles (15 for loss), 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception this season leading his team's defensive charge.

Hill was named the SEC's Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against the Kentucky Wildcats in a 31-14 Week 13 win. Hill will be fired up for the game against Marcel Reed and Co. after Texas A&M after Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn called him out during his weekly news conference.

“He’s a great player, but he’s nothing that we haven’t seen before and nothing that we can’t handle,” Zuhn said

#2, Michael Taaffe

Defensive back Michael Taaffe has been integral for the Longhorns, registering 26 solo tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and five passes defended.

After watching the Aggies' Week 13 43-41 loss to the Auburn Tigers, Taaffe expressed his admiration for Marcel Reed and his running ability during his weekly news conference.

“Auburn has some guys, and he made some really good guys miss,” Taffee said. “He’s got a really talented arm, too, and I don’t want people to forget them. You have to be very disciplined and very detailed in the back end to play a guy like that. You can’t be Superman. You have to let the plays come to you, and then you have to make them.”

#1, Jahdae Barron is the No. 1 threat to Marcel Reed

The Texas Longhorns handled dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores well, and Jahdae Barron was key to that success. He has registered 41 total tackles (27 solo), four interceptions and eight passes defended.

Barron is a semifinalist for the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing the country's best defensive back, and during his weekly news conference, he singled out Reed's outstanding dual-threat.

“At the end of the day, when you have a quarterback like that, you have to stay mentally focused,” Barron said. “Everyone has to do their job because he can create plays with his arms and his legs.”

Marcel Reed has distinguished himself as the Texas A&M Aggies' biggest threat via his passing and running ability and will be the player that the Texas Longhorns plan to stop if they're to win in College Station in Week 14.