Auburn football walk-on surprisingly takes snaps at quarterback
An Auburn football walk-on was surprisingly taking snaps under center during practice on April 3. On the first day of the week leading up to the A-Day spring game, Jackson Barkley, a Class of 2021 Pope High School product who played quarterback, receiver, and safety, was seen alongside Robby Ashford, T.J. Finley, Holden Geriner, and Sawyer Pate as Hugh Freeze continues to mull his options at QB for the 2023 season. Barkley didn’t see any in-game action during the 2022 season.
“A new quarterback joined the three already on the field for Monday’s practice leading into A-day weekend,” Auburn Daily’s Matthew Jacobs reported. “Sophomore walk-on Jackson Barkley worked out with the rest of the players vying for the starting role.”
Auburn football fans will surely appreciate Jacobs’ description of the physical six-foot-two, 200-pound Marietta native. “Barkley is a certified gym rat who has been garnering the attention of his Auburn teammates in the weight room,” Jacobs wrote. “A workaholic that is determined to play ball at this level. A young man with a potent arm and good speed, Barkley had a knack for throwing the ball with pinpoint precision while under heavy pressure during his 2021 senior year. Bringing his hard-nosed defensive back edge to the quarterback position, he had several bulldozing runs as well. To put it politely, when he couldn’t outrun them, he ran them over.”
Auburn football quarterback competition seems headed for transfer portal addition
There has rarely been positive press from Freeze regarding Auburn’s quarterbacks since spring practice began in March. No one has stood out above the rest, and it seems the QB getting the most praise, Geriner, could be penalized for his lack of experience outside of three passing attempts against Mizzou in Week 4 of the 2022 season. Incoming freshman Hank Brown will likely take a redshirt in 2023, eliminating him from contention.
This all feels like it’s leading to an underwhelming A-Day from the Tigers’ QB options, and a subsequent trip to the transfer portal for Freeze and his coaching staff.