Auburn football: 3 reasons why TJ Finley could take over as QB1

Reason #3: Harsin’s opportunity to build around Finley

Bo Nix’s days left on the Plains are numbered, and that’s just a fact. Although the junior could technically probably play one or two more seasons on the Plains, Nix has TJ Finley and Dematrius Davis lined up behind him as well as 5-star Holden Geriner on the way in 2022. While Nix is not a bad quarterback, it makes sense for Harsin to gravitate towards building his own team around Finley.

After all, Finley had four years of eligibility when he arrived on the Plains, and though he has one season under his belt at LSU he is very much still in a developmental phase, unlike Bo Nix, who has been coaxed along for nearly three years with little improvement.

It would be unsurprising to see Nix take the field as the starter against the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge this weekend, but he’s likely on a very short leash, and if he shows the same level of play in Tiger Stadium there’s no doubt that Harsin will put in Finley after his game-winning drive in JHS:

"“I’m proud of him,” Harsin said. “T.J. works hard. T.J.’s always locked in. … And he played damn good.”"

This past weekend shows us that Bryan Harsin means business and that his top priority when it comes to Auburn football is to win. He expects everyone to prepare and everyone to be ready to support the team during the game.

Though it may not happen as early as this weekend, it’s very possible that TJ Finley could take over as Auburn football’s QB1 before the 2021 season has finished.