INdepth look at our QB's

[aubiefifty 18,238]

A look at Auburn's quarterback position before spring practice

Let's make the case for every Auburn quarterback on the roster.

Zac Blackerby

Feb 21, 2022

When Bo Nix announced he was entering the transfer portal, it was easy to expect that Bryan Harsin would have a quarterback battle on his hands going into the 2022 season. 

T.J. Finely earned some reps and a handful of starts at the end of the 2021 season and had a hard time getting the offense going consistently against South Carolina, Alabama, and Houston. 

After the season ended, Auburn would go out and get two new quarterbacks to transfer in and be a part of the roster. 

Zach Calzada transferred from Texas A&M and Robby Ashford was an Oregon Duck a year ago. These two new signal callers join Finley, redshirt freshman Dematrius Davis, and true freshman Holden Geriner. 

Let's look at each quarterback on Auburn's roster and see where they stand in the starting quarterback battle and how any of the five could win the starting job. 

Zach Calzada

© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Year: Junior

Why they could start: Calzada was one of the few roster spots that Auburn went out and added this offseason. Harsin spoke highly of Calzada during the week of the Texas A&M game and Calzada is bringing in almost a full season of SEC experience to the table. 

Why they won't start: He won't be able to win the job in the spring based on reports of his non-throwing shoulder. It appears that he will be limited in spring and won't get enough reps for him to win the job. 

T.J. Finley

© Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Year: Junior

Why they could start: Finley knows the system. Even though there has been a change at the offensive coordinator position, Finley will be familiar with what Harsin wants to see in his quarterback. Finley will more than likely receive the most reps with the starters this spring. 

Why they won't start: Too inconsistent. 

Dematrius Davis

© Jake Crandall via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Year: Redshirt freshman 

Why they could start: Davis has a tremendous amount of talent. His raw ability will give him a chance to start for Auburn in 2022. His mobility paired with his accuracy could present a very high ceiling. 

Why they won't start: He didn't see any time on the field as a true freshman. Whether that was by design or something that transpired during the season, it doesn't help his stance due to not getting enough reps last year. There's a question regarding if his style is a fit in Auburn's offense as well. 

Holden Geriner

© Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Year: Freshman

Why they could start: He looks like a Bryan Harsin quarterback. He's got a strong and accurate arm, can stand in the pocket and deliver a strike, and is mobile enough to extend the play when he needs to. He may be the most talented quarterback on the roster. 

Why they won't start: It'd be a lot to overcome as a true freshman to come in and win the job. 

Robby Ashford

© Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Year: Redshirt freshman 

Why they could start: Ashford has a ton of potential as an athlete. He's from the area and has plenty of relationships with guys already on this team. 

Why they won't start: Too many guys in front of him. Similarly to Davis, this offense may not match up with what his style could be. 

Regardless of how this plays out, it will an important position to watch this offseason. 

By

Zac Blackerby

Edited February 22, 2022 by aubiefifty

[aubiefifty 18,238]

this should be interesting discussion wise. in the immortal words of the natural........."go pick me out a winner bobby"...................

[au302 2,669]

The coaches should and will go with the best guy. I'm anxious to see if either Geriner or Ashford makes a move. We know Calzada is the likely starter, and the coaches have seen TJ and DD for a year now and brought in 3 guys and maybe a fourth if they really do go after JT Daniels. Should be a fun battle 

[RHN1975 302]

The key is having 5 guys to choose from which gives 4 other factions of fans on here something to complain about. 

[AuburnNTexas 7,317]

Supposedly Davis Dad said that he had told coached he didn't want Davis to play 1st year. If true that may explain why we did not see him. So this spring if that was the reason as opposed to his performance he should get a legitimate shot to prove he can win the job this year.  I would expect Calzada to be front runner if not for injury to his non-throwing arm. Reps in a new offense are very important for a QB. I think the Calzada injury really makes this a wide open competition. Normally spring is a chance for coaches to see how younger players and new players have developed this year will be more important than most.  Not just the QB race but the O-Line will any of our younger O-linemen including the two freshmen from last year be ready to step up and if they are will they be better then last years starter.  I especially want to see the one on one battles during spring game between D-Line and O-line. We have so many question marks maybe spring will provide some of the answers. 

[woodford 3,732]

27 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:

Supposedly Davis Dad said that he had told coached he didn't want Davis to play 1st year. If true that may explain why we did not see him. So this spring if that was the reason as opposed to his performance he should get a legitimate shot to prove he can win the job this year.  I would expect Calzada to be front runner if not for injury to his non-throwing arm. Reps in a new offense are very important for a QB. I think the Calzada injury really makes this a wide open competition. Normally spring is a chance for coaches to see how younger players and new players have developed this year will be more important than most.  Not just the QB race but the O-Line will any of our younger O-linemen including the two freshmen from last year be ready to step up and if they are will they be better then last years starter.  I especially want to see the one on one battles during spring game between D-Line and O-line. We have so many question marks maybe spring will provide some of the answers. 

His dad isn’t the coach lol he didn’t play because he’s probably not ready/that good. 

[aubiefifty 18,238]

auburnwire.usatoday.com

Could a freshman be the key at quarterback for Auburn?

Patrick Conn

3 minutes

When we broke down the quarterback situation for the Auburn Tigers, we had a three-horse race at the top. Zach Calzada (Texas A&M) and Robby Ashford (Oregon) transfered in and are expected to battle former LSU transfer TJ Finley for the starting job. They should have an intriguing battle, to say the least.

All three have something to prove under center. Let’s take an objective view of each. None of the three really gives you a lot of confidence with a relatively young wide receiver corps.

Calzada has the most experience among the trio at the top. He won six for the Aggies in 2021, including the upset win over the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.

In his four losses, he passed for 4.2, 6.8, 5.8 and 6.9 yards per attempt. He didn’t really challenge defenders down the field. Calzada’s season average was 6.7 yards per attempt. He also is prone to turnovers.

Finley is best remembered for the comeback victory over Georgia State. That gave the staff confidence he could get the job when called upon. Finley was the starter over the final three games after the Nix injury. He went 0-3 as a starter with the four overtime loss to Alabama, a loss to South Carolina and then to Houston in the bowl game.

While the team was close in all three games, the offense struggled to score in each. Perhaps a full offseason and fall camp would help Finley’s development. It is just hard to have a lot of confidence in the offense with Finley or Calzada at the helm.

You can file Robby Ashford and Dematrius Davis in the same category. Neither have any playing experience though Ashford has tremendous upside. The negative aspect: Everything is a projection. The former four-star quarterback couldn’t sniff the field in Eugene, but perhaps returning to his home state will help.

The newcomer here is Holden Geriner. The four-star signee led his high school team to a state championship as a junior. In two seasons, Geriner threw for more than 7,100 passing yards and 71 touchdowns in his high school career in Georgia.

As a senior, Geriner threw for 3,377 yards and 36 touchdowns. He isn’t just a passer. He can run when he needs to in RPO or zone-read concepts. Geriner is physical enough to withstand the punishment or fight off would-be tacklers. In the pocket, he can navigate to avoid the rush while keeping his eyes down the field.

When it comes to the quarterback position battle, Geriner should be the dark horse.

[AuburnNTexas 7,317]

1 hour ago, aubiefifty said:

auburnwire.usatoday.com

Could a freshman be the key at quarterback for Auburn?

Patrick Conn

3 minutes

When we broke down the quarterback situation for the Auburn Tigers, we had a three-horse race at the top. Zach Calzada (Texas A&M) and Robby Ashford (Oregon) transfered in and are expected to battle former LSU transfer TJ Finley for the starting job. They should have an intriguing battle, to say the least.

All three have something to prove under center. Let’s take an objective view of each. None of the three really gives you a lot of confidence with a relatively young wide receiver corps.

Calzada has the most experience among the trio at the top. He won six for the Aggies in 2021, including the upset win over the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.

In his four losses, he passed for 4.2, 6.8, 5.8 and 6.9 yards per attempt. He didn’t really challenge defenders down the field. Calzada’s season average was 6.7 yards per attempt. He also is prone to turnovers.

Finley is best remembered for the comeback victory over Georgia State. That gave the staff confidence he could get the job when called upon. Finley was the starter over the final three games after the Nix injury. He went 0-3 as a starter with the four overtime loss to Alabama, a loss to South Carolina and then to Houston in the bowl game.

While the team was close in all three games, the offense struggled to score in each. Perhaps a full offseason and fall camp would help Finley’s development. It is just hard to have a lot of confidence in the offense with Finley or Calzada at the helm.

You can file Robby Ashford and Dematrius Davis in the same category. Neither have any playing experience though Ashford has tremendous upside. The negative aspect: Everything is a projection. The former four-star quarterback couldn’t sniff the field in Eugene, but perhaps returning to his home state will help.

The newcomer here is Holden Geriner. The four-star signee led his high school team to a state championship as a junior. In two seasons, Geriner threw for more than 7,100 passing yards and 71 touchdowns in his high school career in Georgia.

As a senior, Geriner threw for 3,377 yards and 36 touchdowns. He isn’t just a passer. He can run when he needs to in RPO or zone-read concepts. Geriner is physical enough to withstand the punishment or fight off would-be tacklers. In the pocket, he can navigate to avoid the rush while keeping his eyes down the field.

When it comes to the quarterback position battle, Geriner should be the dark horse.

I can see where this seems like a viable option, but without improved O-line play any QB back there will have a tough job especially as we at this time don't have a dynamic WR group. Throwing a freshmen in under those circumstances could hurt the players long term confidence which in Sports is huge and could actually hurt his development.