A summer of hype and confusion has finally found its rightful climax in the naming of Sean White at quarterback.
The redshirt sophomore begins the season following a win at the Birmingham Bowl against Memphis, and a summer surrounded by controversy with the arrival of John Franklin III at quarterback.
With all the noise, White has finally made it.
As a freshman, White only threw 1 touchdown to 4 interceptions and only managed to play through five games at the starting position before falling to injury against Arkansas.
Prior to a lengthy four overtime loss to the Razorbacks, White pushed the Tigers to a 2-2 record, including a thrashing by LSU and a hard-to-stomach game against Mississippi State. He wasn’t flashy, and he didn’t show the ability to completely take over a game.
What we seem to fail to forget are the numbers and circumstance that were presented to White.
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White took over a football team that many analysts claimed to be a title contender with a Heisman at the helm as a freshman.
Only after a win in overtime against Jacksonville State – which, frankly, should not have happened – did Auburn decide a change at quarterback was necessary.
He wasn’t what Auburn asked for, everyone seemed to promise the Heisman and anything less appeared as a failure.
Yet, he did better than we ever gave him credit for.
Starting his first game against Mississippi State, White was the first quarterback at Auburn to get their first start against an SEC team since Jeff Klein in 1999.
He was even the first quarterback since Dameyune Craig in 1997 to throw for at least 250 yards in three consecutive games, and was the first freshman to do so.
What more is there to be asked of him in his first season of play?
If winning the quarterback competition is any sign of progress at the position, then we need to lower expectations.
Constantly asking for perfection is unhealthy for fandom. Asking for a freshman to perform with all the firepower of the Heisman hopeful of the previous season is unrealistic.
White showcased his ability to drive an offense down the field. Despite taking quite a while to find the end zone through the air, White, more often than not, brought the team to within field goal range.
At times his pass completions looked to be at the elite level, his arm strength getting the ball to where it should be.
And let’s not forget the drops. At a 58 percent pass completion, White performed well with a rough season for Auburn’s wide receiver core. These receivers couldn’t possibly have what occurred last year – hopefully.
Sean White should come as advertised, a growing, strong quarterback who beat out two others seemingly more fitting to Gus Malzahn’s offense.
That is impressive as is, and as a redshirt sophomore nonetheless.
His infancy as a college quarterback should be no implication for his performance to be what appeared in a disappointing season.
White has the ability to drive the ball downfield, and now with the quarterback position in his possession, he looks to finish what he was unable to last season – score more touchdowns.
Next: 2016 Auburn Football Season Preview Guide
White has shown that he is up to the challenge, and he definitely appears ready to shake up the college football landscape against Clemson.