Malzahn on Auburn’s QB competition: All 3 ‘can run our offense’
By Chris Wright
Published:
HOOVER, Ala. — Auburn coach Gus Malzahn certainly didn’t look like a man who is concerned about his ongoing quarterback competition.
Malzahn, the first coach to speak Monday at the 2016 SEC Media Days, said the Tigers were in a similar situation in 2013, exiting spring and entering fall camp without knowing who would win the starting quarterback job.
That decision lingered well until August until Nick Marshall eventually created enough separation and confidence to win the job about two weeks before the opener.
That, obviously, turned out quite well. Marshall led the Tigers to the BCS National Championship Game, where they lost to Florida State.
Malzahn didn’t handicap the 2016 race or offer a timetable on naming a starter. He said ideally it’s sooner than later, but that all three were capable of running the offense and that he wants to be 100 percent sure in his choice.
“We have three guys competing for the job, and we really have an open mind going into fall camp,” he said. “The good thing is all three can run our offense. It’s just a matter of figuring out who’s going to give us the best chance to win.”
Sean White and Jeremy Johnson shared snaps last season, to varying degrees of effectiveness. John Franklin III is the newcomer whose speed adds a home run threat that his two challengers lack.
Auburn receiver Marcus Davis agreed with Malzahn’s assessment.
“I think all three of those guys can run our offense pretty well,” Davis told reporters Monday.
Davis provided a brief scouting report for each quarterback. He said Johnson focused and improved his running last season, White “just has a knack for the position, he’s a great quarterback.”
Davis said Franklin, his newest teammate, approaches the position differently, is more athletic and has impressed teammates with how quickly he’s learned the offense.
While neither Davis nor Malzahn offered much in the way of insight in terms of who’s the most likely to start the opener against Clemson, Malzahn repeated several times Monday that Auburn wants to run the football and play fast.
Two things that Franklin does exceptionally well.
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
