Auburn football: Alabama also recruiting TJ Finley hard

As it turns out, Auburn football isn’t the only SEC program in the Yellowhammer State looking to land LSU QB TJ Finley from the transfer portal.

Alabama is also barking up his tree–although no fanbase should stay further away from any tree than the Tide’s–in addition to several other SEC programs.

As has been discussed around these parts, signing Finley would be a great way to (hopefully) get more out of Bo Nix with a little friendly QB competition in summer camp. Not only that but Bryan Harsin and co. could definitely use an in-state recruiting victory against the defending FBS National Champions.

And while fans may prefer to see Nix as the starting signal-caller under center this September week one against Akron, Finley sees himself having a legitimate shot at the starting job on the Plains.

That hasn’t stopped Nick Saban and co. from trying to poach away the 6-foot-6, 250-lb pro-style pocket passer:

"“Alabama is coming at me hard,” Finley said. “Penn State and Florida are, too, and Ole Miss is still in the picture as well. Those are just some of the ones off the top of my head. Everyone is giving me the opportunity to compete.”"

The Crimson Tide may not offer the same chance to compete for a starting job. Like Auburn football, Saban has a 5-star QB. Bryce Young is projected by many to follow the lead of Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts in leading Alabama to College Football Playoff appearances, not compete for the starting job in his junior season.

Alas, this could be the year for Bo Nix. He’s focused and he’s having fun.

Just kidding. Although we hope not.

Finley could definitively make it not Nix’s year by coming to Auburn and beating him for the starting job, something he has almost no shot of doing with Young up northwest in Tuscaloosa.