According to reports, Texas A&M football quarterback Jacob Zeno will play his seventh season with the Aggies.

Texas A&M Football: QB Jacob Zeno to Play 7th Season with Aggies, per Report

In a move that has stunned college football insiders and excited fans in College Station, quarterback Jacob Zeno is reportedly set to return to Texas A&M for an unprecedented seventh season. The news, first reported by multiple outlets with confirmation from program insiders, makes Zeno one of the most seasoned quarterbacks in the modern era of college football. His return provides stability and leadership at a position that has seen no shortage of drama and turnover in recent years.

Zeno’s decision to take advantage of every possible year of NCAA eligibility—including redshirt and COVID-exemption years—reflects both his personal commitment to the game and Texas A&M’s continued investment in a veteran presence under center. For the Aggies, who have undergone significant changes in recent seasons, including coaching transitions and offensive system tweaks, Zeno’s return is a stabilizing force and a signal that Texas A&M intends to compete at the highest level in 2025.

Jacob Zeno’s path to a seventh season of eligibility is the product of an unusual blend of circumstances. Originally a four-star recruit out of John Jay High School in San Antonio, Zeno committed to Baylor in the Class of 2019. After redshirting his first year and seeing spot duty in 2020, Zeno transferred to UAB in 2022, where he flourished in a starting role for two seasons.

In 2024, Zeno made the surprise decision to transfer once more, this time to Texas A&M, as the Aggies were rebuilding their quarterback room under a new coaching staff. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver and prior injury hardship. With this upcoming seventh season, Zeno qualifies for another year under a combination of NCAA exceptions.

Zeno’s journey is a rare one, even in today’s era of expanded eligibility and the transfer portal. He’s now played in parts of six seasons, appeared in nearly 40 career games, thrown for over 6,000 yards, and started in more than 25 contests across three different schools.

So why return for one more season? For Zeno, the answer is layered.

“I feel like I’ve still got more to prove,” Zeno told team sources close to the program. “This last year wasn’t how I wanted things to end. I love this team, I love this staff, and I think we can do something special next season.”

Zeno’s 2024 campaign with Texas A&M was solid, but not spectacular. He passed for 2,830 yards with 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while completing 64% of his passes. He led the Aggies to a respectable 8–5 record and a bowl appearance, but the season was marred by inconsistent offensive line play and injuries in the receiving corps. Still, his poise and experience stood out, and he quickly won over the locker room with his leadership.

With another offseason under offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s system, Zeno believes he can elevate his play and push the Aggies into SEC title contention.

Zeno’s return instantly reshapes expectations for the Aggies heading into the 2025 season. Rather than having to break in a new starter or rush a younger quarterback into action, A&M now has a battle-tested veteran with years of Power Five and Group of Five experience.

His presence allows the coaching staff to build a more advanced offensive system, knowing their quarterback can process complex schemes and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. It also gives time for younger QBs on the roster—like redshirt sophomore Preston Wyatt or incoming freshman Cade Reynolds—to develop without pressure.

In a conference as unforgiving as the SEC, having a veteran signal-caller is invaluable. Teams with experience under center tend to outperform expectations, and Zeno’s understanding of defenses, game management, and locker room dynamics gives A&M a crucial edge.

Jacob Zeno may not be a Heisman Trophy contender, but his skill set offers a blend of maturity, precision, and athleticism that coaches covet. He’s especially effective in the short and intermediate passing game, delivering accurate balls on timing routes and showing patience in the pocket. His decision-making, often shaped by years of reps and defensive reads, has improved each season.

Zeno also brings surprising mobility for a player his size (6’4″, 215 lbs), able to extend plays with his legs and occasionally pick up critical yards on scrambles or designed QB runs. His leadership traits, however, are what truly separate him. Teammates repeatedly cite his calm demeanor, ability to motivate, and detailed preparation.

One scout familiar with Zeno’s film described him as “a high-floor quarterback with the football IQ of a coach and the humility of a leader.”

Zeno’s return certainly changes the calculus for Texas A&M’s quarterback depth chart. While he is expected to be the starter heading into fall camp, his presence does not completely shut the door on competition. Wyatt and Reynolds, both highly regarded prospects, will still get valuable reps.

However, it’s clear that Zeno is the bridge between the program’s present and future. He allows the Aggies to remain competitive now while grooming the next generation. His return also sends a positive message to recruits—that A&M values both development and continuity.

There’s also the added benefit of Zeno being a mentor on and off the field. Few players in college football understand the demands of the quarterback position like he does. That wisdom could prove invaluable to younger players adjusting to SEC football and the ever-evolving NIL landscape.

With Zeno back in the fold, the Aggies may quietly become one of the more intriguing teams in the SEC. While Georgia, Alabama, and LSU remain powerhouses, Texas A&M has the tools to challenge if the pieces come together—particularly on defense and in the run game.

The offensive line will need to be more consistent than it was in 2024, and the Aggies must find a go-to target with wide receiver Moose Muhammad III off to the NFL. But with Zeno at the helm, there’s confidence that the unit can improve significantly. Add in an experienced backfield and a defense loaded with returning starters, and A&M may emerge as a dark-horse SEC West contender.

Nationally, Zeno’s return is already drawing attention. He is one of the oldest players in college football—nearly 25 years old by kickoff next fall—and could be featured in preseason watch lists for national leadership awards like the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award or the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year.

Jacob Zeno may never be a household name on the scale of past college football greats, but his story is unique and worthy of admiration. In an era where many players transfer or declare early, Zeno chose the long road—one filled with perseverance, reinvention, and commitment to the game.

His seventh season in college football isn’t just a technicality—it’s a badge of honor. It’s a testament to resilience in the face of adversity, and a love for the sport that has defined his adult life. Few athletes in any sport have experienced as much, learned as much, or endured as much as Zeno has in his journey through Baylor, UAB, and Texas A&M.

If he can lead the Aggies to a breakthrough 2025 season—perhaps a 10-win campaign or a major bowl appearance—Zeno’s legacy at Texas A&M will be secure as one of the most impactful quarterbacks to wear maroon and white in the past two decades.

Jacob Zeno’s decision to return to Texas A&M for a seventh and final season is more than just an interesting footnote in the evolving world of college football—it’s a pivotal moment for both player and program. For Zeno, it’s one last shot at glory. For Texas A&M, it’s a chance to stabilize a key position with an experienced, battle-tested leader.

As the Aggies prepare for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on their quarterback—who has seen it all, played in three programs, and now stands ready for one final run. And if his past six seasons are any indication, Jacob Zeno won’t waste a second of it.