Jake Crain of Crain & Company found a much more apt comparison for Auburn football legend Cam Newton than former Florida QB and potential No. 1 overall pick at the 2023 NFL draft, Anthony Richardson — that being Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson.
Richardson had 17 passing touchdowns to nine interceptions in his lone season for a 6-7 Gators in 2022. Newton also had seven interceptions during his lone collegiate season, but he had 13 more touchdowns. Jefferson, to his credit, at least led Arkansas to two winning seasons the past two seasons, throwing 24 and 25 touchdowns to five interceptions in 2021 and 2022.
Even still, Crain doesn’t see Jefferson being on the same level as the former Heisman, national champion, and NFL MVP:
KJ Jefferson is way more similar to Cam Newton’s style than Anthony Richardson is. Neither are Cam though.
— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) March 7, 2023
Robby Ashford must evoke Cam Newton comparisons with Auburn football
Expecting any player to ever replicate what Newton did during the 2010 season is quite frankly unfair to every recruit that plays the sport from here on out. No one has been as singularly dominant and impactful on the results of games since while running through the SEC. Joe Burrow is the only player who comes close.
With that said, it appears as though Newton comparisons are being handed out like Halloween candy at this moment with the wildly irresponsible Richardson talk. Rick Spielman had the unmitigated gall to actually say Richardson looked better. Cue the Jim Halpert “what is going on” GIF.
Robby Ashford needs to force those conversations for Auburn football. While some may need to see a Heisman caliber season from Ashford for that to not be disrespectful, clearly the Richardson and Jefferson comparisons dictate that isn’t needed.
Ashford showing growth in the passing game will help that narrative not seem so forced, since he’s already got the height (six-foot-four), has a dual-threat pedigree, and spent time at a different Power Five program before making way to the Plains.
If we’re involved in such hyperbole this coming fall, Ashford will have done something right.