Within the Bryan Harsin period of Auburn soccer, a continuing query across the program involved who could be the quarterback of the offense, but in addition who was the following one afterward. What did the pipeline appear like?
Following Bo Nix’s departure, the Tigers relied on the switch portal for starters. Its 2021 signee (Texas four-star Dematrius Davis) left after one 12 months and four-star Holden Geriner (2022) threw three passes whereas sitting behind TJ Finley and Robby Ashford on the depth chart. At the same time as new head coach Hugh Freeze has pulled in 33 new gamers within the 2023 cycle, the attraction of a veteran signal-caller stays.
Whereas Freeze stated through the December signing interval the Tigers would add a quarterback if it was the “proper” match and flirted with a number of choices, the employees has made it a degree to concurrently revamp the roster and ensure the quarterback place is in fine condition for years to come back.
From securing an elite recruit in Shea Patterson whereas main Ole Miss and growing Auburn switch Malik Willis into an NFL draftee, Freeze has demonstrated he can establish expertise on the sport’s most vital place. He is already made govt calls on the Plains, choosing a former-Liberty commit Hank Brown over Keyone Jenkins, considered one of Cadillac Williams’ first commits as interim head coach.
“I am large on not signing a quarterback that I have never seen throw,” Freeze stated final month. “I’ve seen (Brown) make each throw you can also make. He has an NFL arm. I’ve seen it with my very own eyes.”
When the current NCAA useless interval ended, Freeze and his employees targeted on in-person appears to be like with one of many nation’s high 2024 quarterback recruits. Walker White, the highest participant in Arkansas on the 247Sports Composite, has thrown for 48 touchdowns in his final two seasons, producing over 5,000 yards of offense. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has had a number of interactions with members of this system in January, with Freeze and offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery touring to Little Rock (Ark.) Christian, White highschool. White additionally visited Auburn this week.
Auburn is offering itself with choices. Adrian Posse, Florida four-star tied to Harsin, introduced his decommitment on Jan. 15, six months after his preliminary determination. Nonetheless, Langston (Ga.) Hughes four-star Air Noland, who’s visiting Alabama this weekend, has a Crystal Ball prediction tying him to the Plains. A trio of in-state juniors must also get appears to be like with St. James’ KJ Jackson, Baker’s Josh Flowers and Clay-Chalkville’s Kamari McClellan rising up nationwide boards.
The Tigers struggled in a quarterback-heavy 2023 class, coming into late on native stars (Briarwood Christian’s Christopher Vizzina to Clemson) and whiffing on out-of-staters like Brock Glenn, who’s named after this system and settled at Florida State. In 2024, beginning with White — ranked 92nd total — Auburn is within the combine for a number of throwers.
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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Observe him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or e-mail him at [email protected]