Roster outlook: Quarterback

AUBURN | The first in a series of a position-by-position look at Auburn’s roster in 2019 begins with quarterback. The Tigers must replace two-year starter Jarrett Stidham with a number of candidates competing for the job.

Auburn is scheduled to have four quarterbacks on the roster in 2019 and flirted with bringing in a fifth before Kelly Bryant ultimately chose Missouri. Stidham has already announced he will forego his senior season and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. Junior Malik Willis has served as the backup the last two seasons but it’s hard to call anyone the favorite in this competition, especially with new offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Kenny Dillingham coming on board this week. Also in the mix will be redshirt freshmen Cord Sandberg and Joey Gatewood along with true freshman Bo Nix, who is planning to enroll in January.

There’s still a lot to sort out at the quarterback position and it’s possible Auburn could pursue another transfer quarterback to add more intrigue to the competition. Willis has the most experience but certainly didn’t set the world on fire this fall. He’s attempted just 13 passes in his two years as the backup, completing 4-of-6 for 19 yards this fall. He also rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Willis’ strength is his speed and athleticism, which makes him a genuine threat running the read-option when he makes good decisions, but his chances of winning the position will ultimately depend on how effective he is passing the ball.

Sandberg is still fresh off six years of minor league baseball and attempted just one pass this fall as he redshirted. He’s very much a wildcard in this battle and this spring will be a big one for him as he competes, really for the first time, for the starting position. Coming out of Manatee High School in 2013, Sandberg was a productive dual-threat quarterback who combined for 3,335 yards rushing and passing and 45 touchdowns as a senior. The 2012 Class 7A Player of the Year threw just one interception in 264 attempts.

Gatewood is another intriguing candidate who has the potential to be a special dual-threat quarterback if he can develop his passing skills. He was more effective as a power-running quarterback in high school, but did combine for 2,568 yards passing and throwing with 28 touchdowns, splitting playing time at the position as a senior. At 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, Gatewood could be very dangerous on the quarterback powers that Cam Newton ran so effectively in 2010.

Nix is the highest-rated quarterback to sign with Gus Malzahn out of high school and appears college-ready after being tutored by his father, former Auburn quarterback and college offensive coordinator Pat Nix. Bo has dual-threat ability but his strengths are his decision-making, a quick release and a pretty strong arm. Three different true freshmen quarterbacks have played prominent roles at Georgia, Alabama and Clemson the last two seasons, and Nix has the potential to do the same at Auburn.

A couple of things to keep in mind at the position over the next eight months. In today’s growing transfer market, it’s unlikely that all four quarterbacks will still be on the roster, at least at quarterback, by the time the Tigers’ kickoff against Oregon Aug. 31. The ones that finish third or fourth in the competition could be looking to move on sooner than later.

Also, because of their athleticism, it’s not out of the question that Willis or Gatewood or even Sandberg could get a look at another position if they fall behind in the quarterback race.