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Auburn football: January 2022 transfer portal quarterback transferring again

By Andrew Hughes

A January 2022 Auburn football transfer portal addition is taking to the transfer portal during the current recruiting cycle Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser
A January 2022 Auburn football transfer portal addition is taking to the transfer portal during the current recruiting cycle Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser /
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The short-lived Carnell “Cadillac” Williams era of Auburn football era on the Plains will be defined by a rushing attack that was largely aided by quarterback Robby Ashford mastering the run-pass option, and Bryan Harsin’s legacy will be defined by his insistence to start T.J. Finley into the 2022 season after bringing him over to compete with Bo Nix and watching his presence lead to a three-game losing streak to end the 2021 season.

Zach Calzada never had an era of Auburn football to be tied to, having a shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm derail his entire 2022 season after struggling in summer camp in the Tigers’ quarterback.

He now enters the transfer portal for the second straight cycle following one of the most tumultuous offseasons and seasons of Auburn football in recent memory — complete with a program inquiry into his coach that occurred within a month of his commitment and a mid-season firing of said coach.

What Zach Calzada transferring means for Auburn football

Zach Calzada taking his talents elsewhere after a dysfunctional season and a discussion with new head coach Hugh Freeze could mean one of a few things.

First, it could be a sign that Robby Ashford is the clear-cut option under center for a Tigers team that showed life behind his leading of the rushing attack once running backs coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was promoted to interim head coach following Bryan Harsin’s firing. The Hoover product had fan support since last A-Day and led an engine that looked far more refined in the second half of the Mississippi State game to the end of the season.

It could also mean that Freeze and co. have a transfer portal quarterback addition in mind that can send him further down the depth chart. North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Virginia’s Brennan Armstrong, and North Carolina State’s Devin Leary are all names to watch in that scenario.

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