When John Franklin III decided to join the Tigers just about everyone thought it was inevitable that he would become the Auburn quarterback going forward, but what if that’s not the case?
From his supposed attitude problems that surfaced in a Netflix documentary Last Chance U, to growing concern from those close to the team, it’s sounding more and more possible that JF3 might not be the answer we thought he was at the Auburn quarterback position.
This is all speculation, and he very well could still become the starting Auburn quarterback when they open up the season against Clemson.
Based on what we’re hearing though, it’s starting to become more of a possibility that Sean White gets the nod at starting quarterback and JF3 comes in for certain packages, which was mainly his role in junior college season last year.
Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee mentioned in a press conference recently that if JF3 doesn’t win the starting job, he’ll “absolutely” have packages to get him involved in the game.
Rhett Lashlee talks Auburn quarterbacks, running backs and more
There is no denying the speed that JF3 possess, which makes him dangerous with the football in his hands, but if he can’t control the ball when he has to throw it, then it takes away any downfield threat, allowing teams to just stack the box against Auburn.
Gus Malzahn has shown in the past that he loves the wildcat formation, and it’s very possible that’s what he has in plan for JF3 this year.
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If that’s the case, and Sean White is the starting quarterback, how does that change your outlook on the season?
Anyone who thought this was going to be a huge bounce-back year for Auburn, did so thinking that JF3 was the answer at quarterback for Auburn. He is the proto-typical athlete that excels under Gus Malzahn’s offense, and many thought he could step right in and lead this team.
Those thoughts started to diminish after spring practice when he wasn’t named the starting quarterback, but people brushed that off thinking the coaching staff just wanted to give it more time. Then fall camp started and each day that goes by without JF3 being named the starting quarterback raises more concerns.
Fans have tried to remain calm after Auburn’s best offensive weapon in Jovon Robinson was dismissed from the team, but couple that with the fact that JF3 isn’t who we though he was, and what’s the mindset of an Auburn fan heading into the season?
If we’ve learned anything, Auburn fans are resilient, and consider this a family. A family goes through struggles, but at the end of the day we’re still family.
If JF3 doesn’t become the Auburn quarterback, fans are still going to fill the stadium and remain positive about this team. From all the comments I’ve seen on Twitter, when something as bad as having your starting running back kicked off the team happens, Auburn fans start looking for positives elsewhere.
We’ll find reasons why Sean White or Jeremy Johnson are the best option at quarterback, and how it makes sense to only use JF3 in certain packages.
Next: College Football Countdown: 2016 Auburn Football Depth Chart
While we’re all eager to find out who the starting Auburn quarterback is going to be, at the end of the day, it’s still War Eagle.