Zach Calzada’s commitment already was reason enough for Auburn’s A-Day spring game to be a make-or-break showing for T.J. Finley. But now, with Oregon transfer Robby Ashford returning to his home state to finish out his collegiate career after a standout high school career?
It’s do-or-die for Finley’s chances of being a starter under center for the Tigers.
The QB competition has now expanded to five arms including sophomore Dematrius Davis and incoming freshman Holden Geriner. Technically, you could up that number to seven with Trey Lindsey and Sawyer Pate in tow as well.
One would think Zach Calzada and Robby Ashford have pole positions along with Finley, who has the most experience as a starting signal-caller in the SEC.
Finley does not have the backing of public opinion, though, following his lackluster efforts against South Carolina, Alabama, and Houston, the latter for which many Tiger fans drove several hours in Birmingham traffic to watch them lose to in the Birmingham Bowl.
His next opportunity to do so will be this April 9th when Jordan-Hare Stadium hosts its second consecutive A-Day following the 2020 exhibition’s cancellation due to COVID-19.
A-Day could be TJ Finley’s final chance to show he can be starting caliber after Robby Ashford commitment.
Truth be told, the hometown hero from Hoover, Robby Ashford, could have the inside track to the starting job if he could simultaneously show off a big-play arm and the incredible wheels that propelled them around the diamond as an outfielder for the Oregon Ducks baseball team.
Ashford never saw a snap under Mario Cristobal in Eugene on the gridiron, but he was a highly-touted prospect in the Birmingham area, aka the home of the SEC’s headquarters. His commitment is a recruiting win for Bryan Harsin even if his stock has fallen since his initial Oregon commitment in 2019.
Zach Calzada is a safer choice, and would be the perfect backup on the Plains should Ashford prove to be deserving of the starting job.
As for Finley? Well, if he doesn’t show up on A-Day, and worse, if he gets upstaged by either underclassmen (Davis, Geriner) then you could kiss any chance of Finley being QB1 goodbye.