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Malzahn: 'Not a debate' naming White No. 2 QB

AUBURN | Gus Malzahn didn’t leave much if any wiggle room.

Auburn’s fifth-year head coach made it clear Monday night that Sean White will be the No. 2 quarterback just hours after naming Jarrett Stidham the starter.

“Really not a debate,” Malzahn said. “I mean Sean White could start for a whole lot of teams in this league and when he’s healthy I think everybody in this room has seen what he can do.

“So no, he’s our No. 2 quarterback. But like I said, Malik (Willis) is a very good player. He’s impressed us but Sean White’s our No. 2 quarterback and there’s really no gray to him being our No. 2 quarterback.”

White started 10 of Auburn's 13 games last season.
White started 10 of Auburn's 13 games last season. (Robin Conn/AuburnSports.com)

Willis will begin the season as the No. 3 quarterback. Malzahn was unsure if the true freshman would restart but he won’t be moving to the scout team. Willis will continue to get work with the second-team during the season and is expected to travel to away games.

“I think in a perfect world, we would (redshirt Willis),” Malzahn said. “We’re not really thinking that way, in case you have one injury that changes everything. So he will continue to be with the offense and get reps and everything with that.

“You can never have enough quarterback depth, as we’ve found the last few years so we’ve got to get him ready.”

White, who has started 16 career games at Auburn, was unable to compete with Stidham in the spring as he recovered from a broken arm, but was back healthy for the start of fall camp.

“Sean competed very well and I think Sean is improved from last year,” Malzahn said.

Stidham, who transferred from Baylor after taking the 2016 season off, praised White for his attitude Monday.

“Sean, he’s been nothing but supportive all day today,” Stidham said. “Very positive. Very positive. And upbeat. So it’s been really good.”

Malzahn and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey met with each of the quarterbacks individually Monday morning before informing the team as a whole and then announcing the decision on Twitter.

“Anytime you're a coach -- I don't care what position it is -- and you have good competition and you have to tell someone that they're not going to be the starter, it's not an easy thing,” Malzahn said. “I will tell you this, Sean is a great competitor. Sean is very mature. He's going to do everything in his power to help this team win. And he's got to be ready.

“That's what I told him too. He's got to keep preparing like he's going to play and I expect him to do that. Our quarterback position right now, I would probably put it up there with other teams in the country as far as our quality of depth.”

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