We’re less than a month away from the start of Auburn
football, but we’re no closer to knowing who will be the signal caller in Gus
Malzahn’s first season as head coach on The Plains. Gus has made it very clear
that he does not intend to utilize a multiple quarterback rotation, which makes
this decision even more important. Here are the candidates
Name Class
Height Weight Hometown
Kiehl Frazier: Jr. 6’2” 224
LBS Springdale,
ARK
Jonathan Wallace: So. 6’2” 206 LBS Phenix City, AL
Jeremy Johnson: Fr. 6’5” 219 LBS Montgomery, AL
Nick Marshall: Jr. 6’1” 210 LBS Pineview,
GA
Kiehl Frazier: “The
Question Mark”
Frazier began the 2012 campaign as Auburn’s starting QB. He
showed flashes of potential in the narrow loss to Clemson to open the season—then
things started spiraling out of control for the Tigers. Auburn lost three of
its first four games under Frazier before he was replaced at halftime of the
Arkansas game in favor of Clint Moseley who elected to give up football this
offseason. Eventually Jonathan Wallace took over for Moseley late in the
season, starting the final four games for the Tigers. Frazier finished the season
with 62 competitions (53%), 2 TD, and 8 INT.
Why it should be him:
Frazier has most SEC football experience on this roster. He was also recruited
by Gus Malzahn to come to Auburn specifically to run this offense. Frazier and
Malzahn have known each other for years, as Frazier was the starting QB at
Shiloh Christian High School in Arkansas where Malzahn used to be the coach. In
addition, Kiehl has slimmed down this offseason in order to better condition
himself for Gus Malzahn’s Hurry Up No Huddle Offense.
Why it shouldn’t be
him: Frazier struggles with his decision making which explains the eight
picks and eighteen sacks he accounted for last season. Part of that can be
blamed on the offensive line, but most of it lands on Kiehl’s shoulders. He is notorious
for holding on to the ball too long, resulting in unnecessary sacks. He also
has difficulty reading defenses resulting in throws into double and triple
coverage. Frazier is also inconsistent with his accuracy. Even though Frazier
has a fairly accurate deep ball, he misses too many easy throws which explains
his 53% completion percentage last season.
Jonathan Wallace: “The
Safe Pick”
Early in the 2012 season, former Auburn offensive
coordinator Scot Loeffler said he wouldn’t even consider starting Jonathan
Wallace as a true freshman. It’s funny how things chance we you start the
season 1-7. Wallace took advantage of his opportunity as a starter and finished
with 46 completions (57.5%), 4 TD, and 4 INT. Despite average numbers, the offense
looked the most productive when Wallace was under center. He showed above
average poise for a true freshman and has many Auburn fans wondering just how
successful he would be in Malzahn’s spread offense versus Loeffler’s pro style.
Why it should be him:
Wallace outperformed Frazier last year as a true freshman. What he lacks in
physical talent he makes up for in smart decision making, poise, and
leadership. He won’t win you any games with elite athletic talent, but he won’t
lose you games either. You pretty much know what you’re getting with Jonathan
Wallace, which makes him the safest pick of the bunch.
Why it shouldn’t be
him: By naming Wallace the starting quarterback, it limits Auburn’s offensive
potential next season. Wallace doesn’t have an elite arm, so Malzahn won’t be
able to stretch the ball down field as much as he would probably like to. When Gene Chizik named Wallace the starter at
the end of last season, it was a move made in desperation for a season whose
fate had already been pretty much decided. If Wallace is named the starting
quarterback going into next season, it would say a lot about what Gus Malzahn
thinks of the current quarterbacks on Auburn’s roster
Jeremy Johnson: “The Future”
Jeremy Johson was named Mr. Football in the state of Alabama
in 2012 for his successes leading Carver High School last season. Johnson is
already at a disadvantage in this race. Having just recently arrived on campus,
Jeremy will have to play catch-up with Frazier and Wallace as far as learning
the
offense and getting comfortable playing at the next level. Johnson finished
his senior season at Carver with 198 completions (68%), 31 TD, and 7 INT. He
also rushed for 706 yards and 9 TD as well.
Why it should be him:
Jeremy Johnson has the best size of any of the other candidates. Although
Johnson is a little more trim, he has similar size to a certain Heisman winning
quarterback named Cam Newton. Newton started his first year at Auburn, but had
the advantage of going through Florida and JUCO at Blinn College. Johnson provides
a running threat as well, rushing for 706 yards and nine touchdowns as a
senior. Jeremy also possesses what Coach
Malzahn has described as an “NFL arm” which would allow Gus to stretch the ball
down field.
Why it shouldn’t be
him: Starting as a true freshman in college football is extremely
difficult. Although the upside for Johnson is high, it will probably take him
the longest to get comfortable of the four quarterbacks. He does have an NFL
arm, but Johnson needs to work on his accuracy and the consistency of his
footwork and his release. The best option for Johnson this year would be to spend
the season learning on the sidelines as a backup, or to red-shirt and save his
eligibility until he’s ready to become the starter.
Nick Marshall: “The
Freak”Marshall comes to The Plains are a JUCO transfer from Garden City Community College. Many Auburn fans are excited about having another quarterback from junior college, but Nick Marshall is not Cam Newton. Even so, Marshall is an athletic freak of nature. Nick was recruited by the University of Georgia to play defensive back which indicates that he has the elite speed it takes to play in the SEC. Taking that speed to the quarterback position could electrify this Auburn offense. But Marshall isn’t merely a running quarterback; the kid has a rocket arm too. In fact, there’s footage of Marshall throwing passes as far as 75 yards in the air. Last season at Garden City, Marshall threw for 3,142 yards, 18 TDs, and 20 INTS. Marshall also rushed for 1,095 yards and 19 TDs.
Why it should be him:
Many people believe that Marshall, who had offers from several big time
schools, wouldn’t have chosen Auburn unless he thought he had a serious chance
of being the starter. He didn’t come to The Plains to watch from the sidelines…he
came to make plays. The offense would be the most dangerous with Nick at quarterback;
he can beat you with his legs and his arm. He’s the most talented quarterback
of all of the cand
idates, so logically he should be the starter.
Why it shouldn’t be
him: Marshall threw 20 interceptions at Garden City Community College. To
put this into perspective, Cam Newton threw only 5 interceptions at Blinn
College before coming to Auburn. To play quarterback in the SEC and in Gus
Malzahn’s offense you have to protect the football. Turnovers are killers and
for a team trying to establish a new identity, being carless with the ball
simply isn’t an option. Perhaps Marshall threw that many picks because his JUCO
offense was asking too much of him…that’s entirely possible. But if he shows
the same inconsistencies during fall camp, his chances of winning the starting
job will be little to none.
The Prediction: Nick Marshall
I’ve gone back and forth on this for quite some time. I
originally thought Kiehl Frazier would win the job because of his relationship
with Gus Malzahn. However, it sounds like Kiehl hasn’t done much in the spring
to separate himself from Jonathan Wallace. And if push comes to shove, Wallace
is the safer pick. If I were in Gus Malzahn’s shoes, would
start Jonathan Wallace (at least for the first few games). Once Marshall is familiar
with the offense and the speed of the game, I would start Nick. That may be
four games into the season or it may be four games away from the end of it.
However, I believe Gus Malzahn believes in his ability to mold quarterbacks to
his liking. He did it with Chris Todd and I believe he can do it with Nick Marshall.
If Marshall doesn’t take care of the ball, he could lose Auburn a lot of
football games this fall. But if Marshall does what Coach Malzahn asks him too,
Auburn has a chance to surprise a lot of teams this year. I don’t think Gus
will wait until week four to name Nick Marshall the starting quarterback…I
think he will be the starter on August 31st against Washington
State. 
