Auburn football: Jarrett Stidham looks ready to break school passing records

Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell progressed each season on campus. He was thrust into playing time as a freshman in 2001 before he was ready, but by the time he left Auburn, he would go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play for the Tigers.

Of course,  he quarterbacked the Auburn football team to one of the greatest seasons in program history (and yes, the Tigers were snubbed big-time in 2004). Here’s a look at his progression in yards per game passing, completions-attempts, completion percentage, TD passes and interceptions:

2001 (9 games): 1,117, 89-142 (62.7), 4, 4
2002 (13): 1,215, 94-149 (63.1), 11, 5
2003 (13): 2,267, 181-293 (61.8), 10, 8
2004 (13): 2,700, 188-270 (69.6), 20, 7

That’s a significant step Campbell took from 2003 to 2004. He threw for 433 more yards, 10 more touchdowns and one less interception in 23 fewer attempts. His 69.6 completion percentage is the second-best season in Auburn history. His 2,700-yard season is fourth on the Auburn football passing list.

It doesn’t look like a stretch to think Campbell could have reached 3,000 yards, but remember, he had Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown in the backfield and more often than not, when Auburn built large leads in going 13-0, Tommy Tuberville took his foot off the gas.