2022 is going to be extremely interesting for the Auburn football program.
Bryan Harsin has already cleared plenty from his initial coaching deck, with several coaches voluntarily leaving the program as well.
Derek Mason’s departure was the most significant of the voluntary variety, while Nick Eason’s defection to his alma mater Clemson may have had a hand in Caden Story considering those Tigers (as well as Florida) after not committing to Auburn on National Signing Day.
Mike Bobo’s firing should have a massive effect on the offense, and his replacement, Austin Davis, is a QB specialist.
That’s perfect since there is quite the QB conundrum on the Plains at the current moment.
With three-year starter Bo Nix now an Oregon Duck, the position is most certainly fluid right now. No one on the roster is the definitive answer under center come September.
Let’s focus on the positives, though. All five likely options–no offense to Trey Lindsey or Sawyer Pate, but yes there are five–bring unique strengths to the table:
Auburn football QB TJ Finley’s greatest strength: Big-game experience
TJ Finley has stepped onto the field for the most-watched game of the 2021 college football season (and since 2019) and held a lead on the eventual CFP #1 seed in the fourth quarter of said contest.
Finley also helped avoid an early-season disaster against Georgia State, taking over for Bo Nix and avoiding a colossal upset as 27-point favorites. In his freshman season, he threw for 250+ yards and two touchdowns twice in wins for LSU after taking over the position for the reigning national champions.
There’s no denying Finley has been in the SEC trenches in a way no one else in the QB room has.