Auburn Football: Pre-Spring SEC Quarterback Power Rankings

Oct 26, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) drops back to pass against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The Auburn Tigers will be without two-year starting quarterback Nick Marshall, who leaves second in the Auburn football record books in rushing yards by a quarterback and is the single-game record holder for passing yards with 456. Marshall amassed 3,346 total yards and 31 touchdowns in 2014.

But, as good as Marshall was for the Tigers, Jeremy Johnson has a chance to be even better. Maybe even much better.

Johnson started the 2014 season opener (his third career start) and completed 12 of 16 first half passing attempts for 243 yards and two TDs. The rising junior had only 12 more passing attempts over the course of the season, but at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and with a strong right arm, he’s got NFL prototype written all over him.

Expect head coach Gus Malzahn to turn Johnson loose in his first season as the full-time starter and put up big numbers for the Tigers. If he wins the job that is –according to the Auburn football coaching staff, Johnson isn’t the starter just yet.

Redshirt freshman Sean White was the MVP of the Under All-American Game in 2014 and will compete with Johnson this spring. White hould provide a solid option as a backup. JUCO transfer Jason Smith will begin his Auburn football career as a quarterback, but would probably get on the field quicker if he moved to wide receiver.

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