Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) carries against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Commodores 23-16. Photo Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham will be the guy going into the Sept. 2 opener against Georgia Southern, beating out incumbent starter Sean White and talented freshman Malik Willis for the job. A big date at defending national champion Clemson awaits the second week.
“He has done a lot of good things,” Malzahn said of Stidham after the Tigers’ second major scrimmage of camp. “He’s a talented young man.”
In a bow to modern-day mores, Malzahn announced his decision in a tweet:
“Just told team Jarrett Stidham will be the starting QB. The team is excited for Jarrett and ready for the season.”
Malzahn said Stidham earned the job because of his leadership, talent and work ethic.
“He’s performed very well the last two weeks,” the coach said. “He performed very well in the spring, too. We’re excited about that. I know the team’s excited about that when we announced it. He had a different step out there in practice today.”
The decision gives the offense the down-the-field threat in the passing game it lacked a year ago. Although White completed 63.9 completion percent of his passes, he averaged only 153 yards a game. In 2015 at Baylor, Stidham averaged more than 311 yards in three starts after taking over for injured starter Seth Russell before going down with a broken ankle.
The receivers look capable of giving the Tigers more of a threat as well. Malzahn praised their play in the second scrimmage.
Junior Ryan Davis, the leading returning receiver with 25 catches last year, leads an inexperienced but promising group as the Tigers look to take some of the pressure off what should be another strong running game. The only senior among the receiving corps is now gone. That would be John Franklin III, who was transitioning from quarterback. He announced he was leaving the team Tuesday as a graduate transfer.
Sophomores Eli Stove, Darius Slayton, and Kyle Davis were in double figures in catches last year,.
“I thought the young receivers really responded well,” Malzahn said following the scrimmage. “A couple of them made something happen after they caught the ball, broke some tackles. It’s just a matter of that group taking that next step.”
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: RB Kamryn Pettway — Pettway has a very specific target for 2017. “My individual goal is to break the school rushing record,” he said, “but whatever I can do to help my team.” Pettway rushed for 1,224 yards last year, which is well short of Tre Mason’s school record 1,816, but he missed three games to injury. The one thing that could keep him from an even more productive season is Auburn’s depth at running back, where fellow junior Kerryon Johnson rushed for 895 yards in 2016.
BREAKOUT STAR: DE Marlon Davidson — Davidson was All-Freshman SEC after starting all 13 games for the Tigers last year and recording 38 tackles (2.5 sacks). He was the first true freshman to start on Auburn’s defensive line in the opener in 30 years. He has been out with an undisclosed injury in camp, but that is not thought to be a long-term problem. “He has a chance to be an impact player,” coach Gus Malzahn said. “I can’t say enough good things about Marlon.”
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: QB Jarrett Stidham — Stidham had the spring mostly to himself but had to fend off a challenge from returning starter Sean White before earning the starting job. The Baylor transfer gives the Tigers’ passing game a major boost. Stidham was 75 of 109 passing for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman for the Bears in 2015. He was a backup early in the season, then started three games before going out with an injury. “I haven’t played since Nov. 21 of 2015,” Stidham said. “I know exactly when my last snap was. I’m itching to get back out there.”
–WR John Franklin III, who picked up his degree at Auburn’s recent graduation ceremony, announced he was transferring Tuesday. The converted quarterback — he started one game last season as an injury replacement — is eligible immediately. Coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement that Franklin wants to play closer to his Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home. “John has been an outstanding young man during his time here and leaves Auburn with a degree,” Malzahn said in the statement. “We wish John nothing but the best and thank him for his time at Auburn.”
–C Austin Golson, a returning starter, is getting some time at guard in fall camp. The senior started on the offensive line the last two years after transferring from Ole Miss in 2014.
