In a defining moment not just for Texas A\&M but for all of college football, quarterback Conner Weigman has earned one of the most coveted accolades in the realm of sports and media: inclusion on TIME 100’s Most Influential People in Sports. This historic distinction elevates him from the promising face of the Aggies program to an enduring symbol of leadership, excellence, and transformative power in modern athletics. For Weigman, it is more than just a personal achievement—it is a statement to the sports world that the impact of a college quarterback can extend far beyond the confines of the gridiron. What separates Weigman from so many of his peers is not just his physical talent, though it is considerable. Standing tall in the pocket with a cannon for an arm, an exceptional football IQ, and the poise of a seasoned veteran, Weigman’s on-field credentials are undeniable. However, what truly justifies his inclusion among the most influential figures in sports is his character, the ripple effects of his leadership, and the ways in which he has elevated not only his teammates but also the greater Texas A\&M and College Station community. This is a quarterback who does more than lead his team on Saturdays—he inspires a cultural shift every day of the week.
At a time when name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have shifted the landscape of college football, Weigman has embraced the spotlight not with arrogance, but with clarity, maturity, and a sense of responsibility. The way he has approached his platform—choosing philanthropy, community engagement, and academic advocacy over self-indulgent brand-building—has redefined what it means to be a modern student-athlete. He is showing future generations that influence is not measured in Instagram likes or commercial endorsements alone, but in the depth of your impact on people and places that count. Weigman has taken numerous steps to uplift the youth of Texas, leading offseason football camps for underprivileged children and serving as a role model in communities that desperately need positive representation. He has also been a vocal advocate for mental health resources for athletes, breaking through the cultural stigma that too often surrounds vulnerability in sports. His openness about the emotional toll of being a high-level competitor has helped change the conversation around athlete wellness in a way that’s resonated from high school locker rooms to national media outlets.
And yet, despite the media spotlight, he has remained deeply rooted in the culture of College Station. Walk into any local diner near Kyle Field and you’ll hear stories not of a celebrity quarterback, but of a hometown leader who holds the door for elderly fans and signs autographs without hesitation. He’s known by name at campus churches, respected in student senate circles, and admired by professors for maintaining academic excellence amidst the chaos of a national football spotlight. That kind of integration into a college community is not just rare—it’s revolutionary. The influence Weigman has had on Texas A\&M football is just as powerful. When he arrived on campus, the program was still grappling with identity and expectation, teetering between glimpses of elite promise and frustrating inconsistency. Since taking the reins, Weigman has ignited a sense of belief that had begun to flicker. His leadership has galvanized the locker room and redefined the team’s culture from the inside out. Teammates describe him as tireless, the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave the weight room. Coaches praise his capacity to absorb complex schemes and execute them with precision. The results on the field—highlight-reel passes, come-from-behind victories, and consistent progression—speak volumes about his competitive greatness.
But to reduce Weigman’s influence solely to football would be to overlook the magnitude of what he’s done. In an age of increasing cynicism about college athletics—where discussions often center around money, transfer portals, and diluted loyalties—Conner Weigman stands as a rare and refreshing emblem of what college sports can still be. Passionate. Selfless. Community-driven. Educational. In many ways, his rise echoes the legendary trajectories of college sports icons who transcended their era—think Tim Tebow at Florida, Vince Young at Texas, or Andrew Luck at Stanford. But even within those comparisons, Weigman is forging his own path. He’s not just walking through the blueprint of past greats; he’s designing a new model of influence—one built on multi-dimensional success and principled impact.
TIME’s decision to include Weigman among the 100 Most Influential People in Sports is not just a nod to his celebrity status. It is an acknowledgment of the way he is reshaping the narrative of college football’s future. The honor sends a powerful message to young athletes everywhere: that leadership, humility, intelligence, and service still matter. That a quarterback can be more than an athlete. That a campus hero can become a national role model. That influence should be measured in lives changed, not just records broken. Weigman’s influence is already being felt in recruiting, where Texas A\&M is witnessing a resurgence of elite talent eager to be part of something meaningful. Prospects cite him by name when explaining their decisions, inspired by his authenticity and purpose. He has created a gravitational pull around the program, turning it into a destination not just for exposure or wins, but for belonging and mission. This ripple effect is also visible in the school’s broader profile, with applications rising and alumni engagement swelling. Weigman has become a living billboard for Aggie values, and in doing so, he has helped shift Texas A\&M from a regional powerhouse to a national thought leader in what college athletics can achieve.
The historical context of this honor should not be ignored. In the over 100-year history of Texas A\&M football, very few players have captured the national consciousness like Weigman has. Johnny Manziel’s electric run brought fame, but with it came turbulence and controversy. Weigman, on the other hand, represents the maturation of the Aggie brand—flash with purpose, fame with roots, stardom with self-awareness. This balance has made him a fan favorite among generations. Grandparents who remember the Wrecking Crew, parents who watched Manziel’s magic, and students who fill the stands today all rally around him, not because of a viral play or a Heisman campaign, but because of a deeper resonance. He represents the best of them. The response to the TIME 100 announcement within College Station has been electric. The social media reactions were immediate and overwhelming, with hashtags like #Weigman100 and #AggiePride trending across platforms. Fans flooded the campus bookstore to buy commemorative gear, while professors used his story as a real-world case study in leadership and ethics. More than a few tears were shed on campus as longtime staffers reflected on what it meant to see one of their own achieve global recognition—not as an entertainer, but as a builder of something lasting.
This moment also holds enormous implications for college football more broadly. At a time when the sport is navigating existential questions about its future—amateurism, superconferences, playoff expansion, athlete unionization—Weigman’s story cuts through the noise. He is a reminder that amid all the change, the heart of college football still beats strongest in the people who use the game as a vehicle for growth and goodness. His influence may very well shape future NCAA policies around NIL and athlete engagement, as administrators look to his example when deciding how best to guide the next wave of stars. As the spotlight intensifies and professional opportunities loom, Weigman’s next chapter remains unwritten. But there is little doubt that whatever direction his career takes—whether it’s a top NFL draft pick, a community organizer, or even a future coach—his impact will endure. TIME’s recognition is not a final reward, but a mile marker on a much longer journey. He has already done what few athletes ever accomplish: turn success into significance.
In the coming years, as fans look back on this era of college football, many names will rise and fade. Stats will blur. Champions will change. But Conner Weigman’s influence—measured in the people he’s moved, the systems he’s challenged, and the dreams he’s inspired—will live on. That’s what it means to be influential. That’s what it means to be a leader. And that is what it means to be a Texas A\&M Aggie in the truest sense of the word.
