Auburn football trying to flip 2023 Iowa St. QB commit JJ Kohl

The Auburn football quarterbacks room has been a hot topic of conversation during this offseason as fans wonder who will take over as QB1 in the wake of Bo Nix’s exit. At one point in time, it was a five-way competition between TJ Finley, Dematrius Davis, Zach Calzada, Robby Ashford, and Holden Geriner.

With so much experience ahead of him on the depth chart, true freshman Holden Geriner isn’t likely to see game action this season, and the transfer of Dee Davis left the competition down to Calzada, Finley, and Ashford.

As the three of them battle it out for 2022 QB1, Geriner is waiting in the wings with plenty of eligibility left. So, when the Tigers missed out on the QB target they were eyeing in Brock Glenn, who recently committed to Ohio State, there was a real possibility that Auburn may not take a quarterback in the recruiting class of 2023.

However, that could change as the Tigers set their sights on a new 2023 QB target. 4-star JJ Kohl committed to Iowa State back in April, but received an offer from Auburn football on August 9. Kohl is ranked as the #163 overall prospect and the #12 quarterback in the recruiting class of 2023 and is the #2 recruit out of the state of Iowa.

According to Auburn Live, the Tigers’ staff has been talking with JJ Kohl for weeks, and Kohl’s father–who played football for Iowa State–said getting the quarterback to flip could end up being a challenge:

"“JJ is committed to Iowa State and Matt Campbell’s staff,” Jamie Kohl said. “I don’t see that changing. With that being said, Auburn has always been a special place to us. JJ has been to the Iron Bowl when he was younger and I have been to Auburn 15-20 times. It’s a special place!”"

Although it will be tough for the staff to pull a legacy away from his home-state school, the allure of playing in the SEC could be enough to change Kohl’s mind.