While the Auburn Tigers and head coach Gus Malzahn are currently searching for an answer at the quarterback position heading into the 2016 season, the not-so-distant future of the position on the Plains could be in great hands for years to come.

Auburn currently has a commitment from one of the nation’s top 2018 prospects, 6-foot-4, 223-pound dual-threat quarterback Joey Gatewood of Jacksonville. Despite having two years of high school football yet to play, Gatewood has already accumulated over 30 scholarship offers from several of the nation’s elite college football schools, including Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Florida State, Michigan and Ohio State.

Gatewood recently made a trip down to Auburn for the A-Day Spring Game and discussed his visit with AL.com. In the article, Gatewood states Malzahn compares his game to his quarterback idol, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton:

“When I first walked into Malzahn’s office we sat down and we talked with my mom and all. I remember he was like, ‘You’re the closest thing I’ve seen to Cam as a recruit since he was here. You saw how he Cam excelled in this offense.’ I really think I can excel in the offense too. I have the same three goals as he did when he came: Win the Heisman, win a national championship and become a first-round draft pick at No. 1.”

That’s some incredibly praise to heap on a 16-year-old prospect. Can Gatewood possibly live up to the hype? If Malzahn fails to turn around his offense this season — the Tigers ranked No. 10 in the SEC in total offense, No. 12 in passing offense and No. 8 in scoring offense — will he even be around to find out?

If Auburn fans can remain patient, the future looks bright for Malzahn and his offense with Gatewood under center.