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Auburn Football: Tigers must secure 2018 quarterback commit Joey Gatewood

By Sumner Martin

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers head football coach Gus Malzahn on the field before the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers head football coach Gus Malzahn on the field before the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here we discuss Auburn football commit Joey Gatewood, who has drawn comparisons to Cam Newton for his size and dual-threat capabilities.

Auburn football commit Joey Gatewood had a very strong relationship with former offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who recently left for the same position at UConn, but many skeptics believe that with Lashlee leaving, so goes the Tigers’ chances of landing the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback in the country (according to Rivals.com rankings).

Gatewood is a 6-foot-4, 226-pound quarterback from Bartram Trail high school in Jacksonville, Florida. Nationally, he is the 118th ranked player and the 29th best prospect from the state of Florida (Rivals250). He completed 59-of-87 passes for 716 yards, while also rushing for 753 yards and 11 touchdowns on 93 carries.

Gatewood has drawn comparisons to the former Heisman winner Cam Newton for his unique combination of size and speed, which is also why many fans think he would be a perfect fit in Auburn’s up-tempo offense that is typically built around a mobile, dual-threat quarterback that saw Newton lead the Tigers to a national championship in 2010.

After word spread around the college football world of Lashlee leaving the program, teams like Florida State, Oregon, and Texas immediately began to revamp their recruiting of the Jacksonville native, sensing an opportunity to steal away a very talented prospect that’s destination may not be set in stone quite yet. According to 247sports.com recruiting, Auburn and Florida State remain the two favorite landing spots, but Gatewood remains committed to the Tigers, and has recently expressed how his bond with new Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey continues to grow by the visit. 

Lindsey is committed to having the same type of relationship with Gatewood as Lashlee did in order to restore some confidence, and strengthen the bond with the high school senior. The Tigers’ new playcaller continues to express that his coaching methods, as well as the new added emphasis on the passing game, will be a great fit for Gatewood.

The highly touted recruit also plans on helping Auburn further bolster their 2018 class. He has his eyes on two top wide receivers: Justyn Ross and Jacob Copeland. If the Tigers can hold on to Gatewood, it would go a long way in the recruitment of other top prospects, especially these two wide-outs that already have a solid relationship with the Tiger commit.

Needless to say, Gatewood is an important target for the Tigers. There is added drama with the departure of Rhett Lashlee, but Lindsey is on track to fill that void and build the relationship.

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Gatewood would be a key asset for the future of the Auburn offense, an offense that has failed to produce up to par for the past two seasons. He would also serve as another advocate for the program, and assist in strengthening the 2018 class. Malzahn and the Tigers just cannot afford to let this one slip away.

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