Auburn football QB Robby Ashford reveals he battled injuries all season

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Robby Ashford was never supposed to be the starter for Auburn football in 2022. With the return of TJ Finley and the arrival of former Texas A&M Aggie Zach Calzada, both players with significant playing time and experience in the SEC, it did not seem likely that Ashford, who had never seen game action while at Oregon, would win the QB battle.

But things took a turn on the Plains, as they always seem to do, and the Tigers started off the season with both Finley and Ashford rotating in and out. After TJ Finley’s shoulder injury in the Penn State game, Robby Ashford ultimately cemented his role as QB1.

While Ashford’s performance has been up and down this season, many pointed to the fact that he was young and inexperienced and was playing under the direction of Bryan Harsin. However, Ashford revealed to reporters following the Iron Bowl that he has been playing hurt all season, per Auburn Undercover:

"“Bruised rotator cuff, sprained trap, sprained index finger — you name it, I’ve probably had it,” Ashford said. “So yeah. I feel proud just knowing I can go out there and still do it even when I’m hurt. There were plenty of nights where I couldn’t sleep because I was in so much pain — shoulder swollen, a whole lot of weeks where I couldn’t throw in practice until game day.”"

But Ashford has always been called a fighter, and he intends to return to the Plains next season to play for a conference title and national championship. His love for Auburn football runs deep, and he showed that by fighting his injuries and putting it all on the line for the Tigers this season.

"“I wouldn’t go out there and do it for anybody else other than this team,” Ashford said. “I knew I had to give everything no matter how I felt, no matter how I felt after the game. … I have to go out there and fight for my guys. Anyone who says anything about me — oh I suck as a quarterback or whatever — they wouldn’t get out there and do anything I did.”"

Ashford ends the season with the most rushing yards by an Auburn quarterback since Nick Marshall, and once he gets healthy and has the opportunity to go through another offseason, he’ll have the opportunity to do great things on the Plains.