Auburn names starting quarterback

Auburn junior quarterback Cameron Newton has surfaced as the No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice, announced head coach Gene Chizik, Wednesday.

"After thoroughly evaluating our quarterbacks during spring practice and over the last week, Cam has emerged as our post-spring No. 1 quarterback," Chizik said. "Obviously, he will have a lot of work to do over the summer and during two-a-days to continue along this path. We fully expect our other quarterbacks to continue to work hard and compete with Cam during the off-season and into fall camp."

Newton beat out senior Neil Caudle, redshirt freshman Clint Moseley and sophomore Barrett Trotter for the top spot on the depth chart. Caudle was the backup quarterback last season for the Tigers and appeared in five games.

Newton, who enrolled at Auburn in January, was the No. 1 overall junior college prospect according to Rivals.com in 2009 and helped lead Blinn College (Texas) to the 2009 NJCAA National Championship.

The 6-6, 245-pound Newton passed for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and 16 scores this past season at Blinn. Newton completed 204-of-336 for Buccaneers, who finished with an 11-1 record.

A native of College Park, Ga., Newton transferred to Blinn after attending the University of Florida in 2007 and 2008.

Newton attended Westlake High School in Atlanta where he was named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Super Southern 100 and participated in the inaugural All-American Offense-Defense All-American Bowl as a senior.