Auburn is currently embattled in a three-way race for the starting quarterback spot, as Jeremy Johnson, Sean White, and newcomer John Franklin III all still have a chance to claim the position. On Saturday, though, it was only White and Franklin scrimmaging, as Johnson was held out for precautionary reasons.
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QB Jeremy Johnson was held out today. "Don't read anything into that," Malzahn said. Wanted to see more of White/Franklin.
— AUBlog (@AUBlog) August 13, 2016
Johnson might have a minor injury, but it seems to be that it's nothing major enough to alter the quarterback race at Auburn. This also gave White and Franklin some more snaps to work with, so it is possible that this is a positive for now.
Malzahn said that he's still not ready to name a starter at quarterback. There are still three weeks to go before the start of the season, so there is still plenty of time for the Tigers to try and work things out under center.
A lot of Auburn fans are interested in what Florida State transfer Franklin can bring to the program. He seems to be gaining some steam in practice, as he continues to try and find his comfort zone on The Plains.
Gus Malzahn said QB John Franklin III 'did some good things' in Saturday scrimmage. 'You can see he's getting more comfortable.'
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) August 13, 2016
Whichever quarterback wins the starting job, they are going to need some help from their receivers. Neither Johnson nor White played particularly well last year, but too many plays ended on drops from a receiver that was wide open. Quite simply, the entire team will have work together to improve offensively from last year; there's no one guy that can be blamed, and at least for now, there is no one guy that can really be the "savior" of the program.
Auburn opens the season on Sept. 3 with its toughest home-game of the year: a visit from the defending ACC champs, Clemson.
