The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stidham: Plenty of playmakers on field
Probable starting QB thinks offense can take big step forward.
AUBURN, ALA. — Perhaps the biggest storyline for Auburn football heading into the 2017 season is whether the Tigers’ offense can take a much-needed step forward with new faces at quarterback and play-caller.
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is widely expected to start for the Tigers, says his new team has everything in place to make that happen.
“We’ve got playmakers everywhere on the field,” Stidham said in a recent interview with the SEC Network’s Tom Luginbill. “I think all the pieces of the puzzle are there. I think it’s just a matter of time, getting everybody on the same page.”
Stidham hasn’t been named the starting quarterback yet at Auburn, though. The former Baylor quarterback will compete against returning starter Sean White, who wasn’t a full participant in spring practice due to injury.
When asked about the feel of the quarterback room at Auburn during the midst of the competition, Stidham was positive.
“It’s great, honestly,” Stidham said. “I think anywhere you go, really any position, it’s always good to have competition. That makes you raise your game up to another level day in and day out.”
In the three-minute video with Luginbill, Stidham discussed his path to Auburn, which included a 2016 season away from football after his departure from Baylor.
He also talked about the biggest change between running the Bears’ prolific, wide-open offense and the one Chip Lindsey and Gus Malzahn have for him at Auburn.
“At Baylor, the offense could kind of speak for itself — very explosive,” Stidham said. “Coming here, it was a little bit different. You had to read defenses a little bit more.”