The writing was on the wall for TJ Finley not to be entrusted with pole position for QB1 in 2022. If Dematrius Davis wasn’t ready just yet to be the guy in Bryan Harsin’s offense, the transfer portal was likely to provide a big-name addition to provide competition for the former two-time Class 6A Texas state champ. That name has arrived–it’s Zach Calzada, FKA to the Auburn family as Zach Calzone–and he led the way to the only potential blemish on an otherwise perfect (and possibly consecutive) national champion Alabama to his record, should the less offensive result occur this coming Monday.
Obvious Eddie’s Calzone endorsement deal aside, Calzada has the chance to become a popular fixture on the Plains if he could successfully replace Bo Nix as the starting QB, wearing #10, for the home team at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
But where does that leave Davis, who should be shedding his red-shirt, in 2022?
Zach Calzada’s commitment could delay, if not derail, Dematrius Davis’ QB1 quest
Dee Davis may have to accept a backup role with the leader of an 8-4 Texas A&M team that not only knocked off the possible champion Crimson Tide, but also the Tigers, coming on board. Davis could shock in training camp if given a chance, and he could well be the more explosive playmaker.
But if Harsin shifts to a more conservative offense that heavily utilizes a strong backfield triad of Tank Bigsby, Jarquez Hunter, and incoming 4-star freshman Damari Alston, Calzada makes more sense to be a game-manager given his experience making pivotal plays in the heat of SEC West action.
Though Zach Calzada actually wasn’t much of a winner in the SEC West outside of beating the Iron Bowl rivals, he still figures to get more of a chance from Harsin given the competition for his services this winter.
Still, Davis’ style of play resembles Russell Wilson as a shorter and bulkier QB, so with former Seattle Seahawks QB coach Austin Davis filling the OC void, there could be a meteoric jump in his game. That’s going with the assumption that his public defense of the coaching staff means he’s not taking to the transfer portal for a chance to land a guaranteed starting role elsewhere.
It’s not an open and shut case that Calzada will start, but he undoubtedly has pole position for QB1.