Former Auburn football running back Tank Bigsby told reporters at the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis who he foresees winning the Tigers’ starting quarterback job — and it could be seen as a surprise to many in the Auburn family.
In shouting out several players who he believes could represent Auburn football at the 2024 NFL Combine after having a big season in 2023, one of the names Bigsby included was that of TJ Finley. Finley was benched after Week 3 of the 2022 season following a 41-12 loss to Penn State and only saw the field for one more drive against Ole Miss in Week 7. Despite rumors he was entering the transfer portal, Finley is sticking with AU this spring in hopes the arrival of Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff could bring out of him what Bryan Harsin and Ed Orgeron couldn’t.
According to Bigsby, Finley has the toughness to overcome the adversity he has faced and seize the opportunity to finally break out with his fourth head coach in as many seasons:
"“He keeps God first. He’s a very calm guy. You know, in situations, he never trips. All the adversity he’s been through, he keeps going. He keeps fighting. He’s looking for more. I can relate to guys like that. He’s great. He’s going to be great. He’ll be fine. He’s just going to get around the right guys, and I feel like he is now. The right coaches are in, and he’s going to do what he has to do.”"
Possible reason Tank Bigsby didn’t endorse Robby Ashford for Auburn football QB1
Bigsby was outgained on the ground for six of the 12 games by Robby Ashford during the 2022 Auburn football season. That is not why Bigsby didn’t endorse Ashford as the starter for the 2023 season, though.
Ashford and Bigsby got into a public spat on the sidelines of the Tigers’ October 15 48-34 loss to Ole Miss. While Auburn’s offense picked up after that against Ole Miss and then even more so after coaching change to Cadillac Williams, the damage was done to the relationship between the backfield mates.