Position check: QB
AUBURN | A position of adversity gets a influx of talent for 2017. A look at Auburn’s quarterback position before the start of spring practice on Feb. 28.
WHO’S GONE: Jeremy Johnson has completed his eligibility after throwing for 2,224 yards and 20 touchdowns in 30 career games including 11 starts.
WHO’S BACK: Returning starter Sean White is back for his junior season but will be limited in the spring as he returns from a broken arm in the Sugar Bowl. In 18 games including 16 starts, White has completed 216-of-351 passes for 2,845 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Also returning is senior John Franklin III, who accounted for 634 yards rushing and passing and three touchdowns in 13 games last season.
Sophomore Tyler Queen returns after battling injuries his first two seasons at Auburn along with Woody Barrett, who redshirted last fall.
WHO’S NEW: Both sophomore Jarrett Stidham, a Baylor transfer, and true freshman Malik Willis enrolled in January and will go through spring drills.
WHO’S COMING: Both of Auburn’s 2017 quarterback signees have already enrolled. The Tigers do have a commitment from four-star 2018 quarterback Joey Gatewood.
OUTLOOK: No position has befuddled Auburn more the last two seasons. Inconsistencies, injuries and downright poor play at quarterback have been the biggest reason for the Tigers losing 11 games combined the previous two years. Those issues could be solved with the addition of Stidham.
He was ranked as one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks coming out of Stephenville (Texas) High School in 2015. He played in 10 games as a true freshman at Baylor completing 75-of-109 passes (68.8 percent) for 1,265 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for two touchdowns. Stidham accounted for 8,306 yards rushing and passing along with 109 touchdowns in his high school career.
Stidham should get most, if not all, off the first-team reps during the spring and is the favorite to be Auburn’s starter in the opener against Georgia Southern Sept. 2. His arm talent and athleticism is a big upgrade.
White’s opportunity to fully compete for the position probably won’t come until preseason practice but he should at the very least provide an experienced and credible backup. Franklin will have an opportunity to compete in the spring. He’s scheduled to graduate in May.
One of the more interesting competitions will come from the three younger players — Queen, Barrett and Willis — as they vie for an important spot on the depth chart and the opportunity to be the next in line.