‘Things going on behind the scenes’ with Auburn QB who may transfer

Before the Tigers’ 48-10 destruction of Arkansas on November 11, former Georgia QB and current SEC Network analyst Aaron Murray alluded to the issues behind the scenes in the Auburn football QB room relating to Robby Ashford’s unhappiness with not starting — and later suggested that the Hoover native hit the transfer portal to find that QB1 role he desires.

“I think it was telling that we didn’t see Robby the entire football game (against Vanderbilt), Murray said (h/t Saturday Down South). “There was not a single snap to him….I think there’s some things going on behind the scenes. I think there’s some frustration probably from Robby,” Murray said. “He’s a competitor…If he wants to play QB1 somewhere he’s just going to have to transfer out and go to a smaller division or different conference in order to do that.”

There have been rumblings of issues, which have been a tough pill for the sunshine-pumping, insult-hurling portion of the fanbase to swallow, between Ashford and Hugh Freeze regarding the unpopular two-quarterback system. It’s not likely that goes away even after Freeze gave Ashford playing time after the Tigers already had the game in hand against Arkansas up 48-10; to which No. 9 responded with 32 yards on the ground and an interception on his only pass attempt.

Auburn football backup QB situation biggest storyline heading into New Mexico State game

Should Holden Geriner jump Ashford in the QB rotation during the New Mexico State game on November 18 at Jordan-Hare Stadium — one that is expected to feature garbage time by the second half if all goes according to plan — then Ashford hitting the portal seems like a guarantee.

Ashford has starter-level talent at the FBS level, with the right system making him a potential game-changer even in the Power Five. AU has Walker White coming in and may have Thorne returning in 2024, though.

Ashford got to live out the dream of just about any Birmingham-area kid, being the starting quarterback at Auburn. With a new head coach coming in, it was always an uphill battle to remain QB1.

But wherever Ashford goes next, whether it be UAB, Jacksonville State, or any other in-state school or university within the region, he’ll always be an Auburn Tiger.