Auburn Football

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn seemingly shaded Alabama over the school's displeasure with noon kickoff times in his press conference Tuesday.

"Our guys are excited to be back home for our second home game, playing a very solid Kent State team, 6 p.m. kick," Malzahn told reporters. "Personally, I wish it was at noon. We'd have more time to prepare for our next opponent."

Saban and Alabama officials complained Monday about the noon (11 a.m. local time) start for the Crimson Tide's game against Southern Miss on Sept. 21. 

"We are disappointed that our game against Southern Miss has been scheduled for a daytime kickoff at home," president Stuart Bell and athletics director Greg Byrne said in a statement. "We realize we've played more nonconference day games at home in September than any other SEC team since 2014.

"There have been a number of conversations with our conference office and they also recognize the challenges these kick times present for our student-athletes and fans."

Saban previously expressed his frustration with fans leaving early during the Tide's 62-10 win over New Mexico State last week. He cited the fact that some fans were likely leaving because of the heat.

"I know it was a difficult day for our fans because of the circumstances surrounding the weather and I'd like to thank the fans for supporting the team and a lot of people hanging in there to try to support the team," Saban said Monday. "I think the players really appreciate it. We know it was a difficult circumstance for a lot of folks, and hopefully our administration will continue to work to try to play some of these games at a different time."

The heat index in Tuscaloosa was over 100 degrees during the romp. Alabama has played six 11 a.m. kickoffs since the SEC Network began broadcasting the early games, though most have come against lesser opponents.

Saban balked at criticism of Alabama's nonconference schedule during his press conference as well, saying the Tide play schools that are willing to play them. He has long preferred that Power Five teams play all 12 of their games against Power Five schools.

True freshman quarterback Bo Nix found wideout Seth Williams for a 26-yard touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining as No. 16 Auburn scored 21 unanswered points to defeat No. 11 Oregon 27-21 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday.

Down 21-6 late in the third quarter, Nix found Eli Stove for an 11-yard touchdown to help Auburn crawl within one possession. Backup quarterback Joey Gatewood rushed into the end zone from one yard out with 9:48 left before Nix led the Tigers on an 11-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to seal the win.

JaTarvious Whitlow rushed 24 times for 110 yards to lead the Auburn offense.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert completed 28 of 37 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown to lead the Ducks. Freshman tight end Spencer Webb hauled in a score from 20 yards out.

Running back CJ Verdell added 14 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown, and Darrian Felix added another rushing score. Johnny Johnson III led all pass-catches with seven receptions and 98 yards.

The 1-0 Tigers have now beaten 14 Top 20 opponents since head coach Gus Malzahn's era began in 2013. The Ducks fell to 0-1.

The matchup marked the first time Oregon and Auburn played since the Tigers defeated the Ducks 22-19 in the BCS National Championship Game in January 2011.

     

Late-Game Heroics Shows Why Auburn Must Be Patient With Nix

Nix's passing numbers (13-of-31 for 177 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions) can't be sugarcoated. Simply put, he did not play well.

However, Auburn must stick with Nix through the highs and lows. Failing to do so if Nix's early game struggles reappear would be a hasty panic move.

First, the true freshman is just 19 years old. He's playing defenders with a couple more years' worth of development and experience, making life far more difficult.

Second, Nix was asked to do something no true freshman has been asked to do in the nation's greatest football conference since 2004 in starting a season opener. And Nix had to complete that task on national television in a neutral environment against the nation's No. 11 team.

Third, his natural talent—which helped him become 247Sports' No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2019—is clearly evident.

Nix lofted a beautiful deep ball down the field to Will Hastings for 38 yards and showed off his wheels with 42 yards on seven carries, the latter of which caught Mina Kimes of ESPN's attention.

NIX. CAN. SCOOT.

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 1, 2019

Nix's legs saved the matchup for Auburn, as he barely got the first down on a 4th-and-3 run from his own 47-yard line on the game-winning drive.

Clearly, the bad mistakes must go. As Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports mentioned, Nix was "flirting with one disaster after another" on Saturday despite noting that the signal-caller was "clearly talented."

Some of those potential disasters materialized in the form of two interceptions and missing Hastings in the end zone for a touchdown.

But pulling the plug if the struggles from the first three quarters materialize later in the season is extreme and unfair.

Former NFL safety Ryan Clark understands that mistakes will be made:

Bo Nix is gonna be pretty darn good for Auburn. He will have his issues this year at some points, but he will figure it out.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 1, 2019

However, if Nix is capable of orchestrating a clutch touchdown drive under intense pressure as he did on Saturday, then it's absolutely worth waiting for him to iron out his mistakes until he fulfills the incredible potential on a more consistent basis.

     

Herbert Makes Strong Opening Case to Be Top QB Taken in 2020 Draft

Either Herbert or Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa figures to be the top quarterback picked in the 2020 NFL draft. Granted, that won't occur until late April, but despite the loss, Herbert made a solid argument Saturday after Tagovailoa dominated Duke earlier in the afternoon.

Tagovailoa's 26-of-31 performance for 336 yards and four touchdowns against Duke naturally stole early headlines, and Herbert's impressive (but less-gaudy) numbers pale in comparison.

However, a deeper dive into Herbert's night reveals just how well he performed.

First, he encountered a series of obstacles to success even before stepping foot on the field. The senior was without three injured wideouts who figured into the team's plans this year in Brenden Schooler, Mycah Pittman and Juwan Johnson.

And that list doesn't include Dillon Mitchell, the wide receiver who led the team with 75 catches, 1,184 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Furthermore, Herbert lost Verdell and second-string running back Travis Dye midgame with injuries for a short period of time not long after. That didn't matter, as Herbert led the team on a touchdown drive in the third quarter anyway:

With three WRs out and down to his third-string RB, that was an impressive drive from Justin Herbert. pic.twitter.com/pOkZnt6Mxp

— Tyson Alger (@tysonalger) September 1, 2019

Furthermore, Herbert opened the season with the Heisman and NFL draft spotlights shining brightly after returning to school for his final year.

It didn't help matters that he had to go on a neutral field and face the No. 16 team in the nation entering the season. Not only that, but Auburn entered the game as a 3.5-point favorite, per Caesars Palace.

But he looked smooth, smart, resilient and efficient all night in the Ducks' loss. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah praised his strong arm in particular:

Herbert has a huge arm. Doesn’t need to have his feet in the ground to create force.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) September 1, 2019

Really impressed by Herbert tonight. Arm talent on display all night long.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 1, 2019

That arm strength was on display in the second quarter, although it occurred on a throw that maybe wasn't the best decision at first glance.

HE GOT MOSSED!@oregonfootball's Spencer Webb went way up over the defender for this TD catch 😤 pic.twitter.com/druS3bV4A3

— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2019

The cross-body, cross-field throw was certainly risky, but Herbert still gave Webb a chance to make a play. Webb did just that with the 20-yard touchdown catch, leaving former NFL offensive lineman and ex-Duck Geoff Schwartz impressed:

Look ... that wasn’t the smartest decision to throw that pass but that was a freaking throw by Herbert. He’s balling tonight. This is what we needed

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 1, 2019

Herbert did make an untimely mistake on a fumbled exchange on the Auburn 14-yard line that was returned 83 yards, but Auburn only came away with a field goal.

Granted, the finish was certainly disappointing, although Herbert still went 13-of-15 after Oregon had the ball up 21-6.

Herbert passed his first test on Saturday. It won't be the only one he sees this year, with road matchups against No. 25 Stanford and No. 13 Washington standing out. However, Herbert completed the first hurdle toward making his case for being the top signal-caller in the 2020 NFL draft.

               

What's Next?

Oregon will host Nevada on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Auburn will face Tulane at home during the same date and time.

True freshman Bo Nix has topped Joey Gatewood for Auburn's starting quarterback job to open the regular season. 

https://twitter.com/AuburnFootball/status/1163896288968097797

247Sports' Brandon Marcello first reported Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn informed his team Tuesday that Nix will be the starter on Aug. 31 against Oregon. 

Malzahn told reporters Sunday he was nearing a decision about the position but wasn't prepared to announce it: 

“I think we're closer in that position, I can't tell you right now what day, but we're going to go back now fall camps over, and really all positions, and just evaluate each position. Take a good, you know, 24 hours to see everything, you go back, because a lot of times from a coaching standpoint, you remember the last practice in great detail, but the things before [not as much], so it gives us a good chance to really put the pieces to the puzzle not just quarterback but even some other positions as far as depth is concerned."

Per Marcello, Nix will be the Tigers' first true freshman Week 1 starting quarterback since Travis Tidwell in 1946. 

Josh Vitale of the Montgomery Advertiser reported Aug. 12 that Nix "appeared to be the most accurate passer" in a group that included Gatewood, Cord Sandberg and Wil Appleton in practice drills. 

Nix was one of the biggest additions for Auburn in the 2019 recruiting class. The Alabama native is a 5-star prospect who is the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback and No. 33 overall recruit, per 247Sports. 

The Tigers will open this season ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25. They are coming off an 8-5 record last year and will attempt to win the SEC for the first time since 2013. 

The Auburn football program landed 4-star running back Tank Bigsby on Friday, according to Keith Niebuhr of Auburn Undercover.

Auburn it is! Tank Bigsby selects the Tigers as his next destination.

Boom tweets incoming. pic.twitter.com/nTLWz4DM6Q

— Paul Stockman (@Paul_Stockman) August 9, 2019

Bigsby is the No. 31 overall recruit and the No. 7 running back in 247Sports' composite rankings.

The 6'0", 210-pound back visited Auburn, LSU, Georgia and South Carolina before choosing head coach Gus Malzahn's Tigers.

Auburn's class of 2020 now ranks sixth in the nation, per 247Sports. Bigsby is the Tigers' 10th 4-star recruit.

"This is one of my favorite players in the country, one of the most complete running backs in America," 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong said, per Niebuhr. "[He] rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior with most of that damage coming in the state playoffs. He's a hard runner, can make people miss between the tackles and he's a guy that can go the distance."

Bigsby rushed 238 times for 2,221 yards and 22 touchdowns on 238 carries for Callaway High School in Hogansville, Georgia, last season. The junior also caught 14 passes for 217 yards.

Per MaxPreps, Callaway went 11-3 and reached the 2018 Georgia state Class 2A Final Four before losing to eventual runner-up Rockmart 28-22.

Auburn is set at running back for a few years with redshirt sophomore JaTarvious Whitlow patrolling the backfield now and Bigsby set to arrive on campus next year.

Whitlow carried the ball 150 times for 787 yards and six touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 173 yards and two scores in 2018. It was an impressive debut season for the 6'0", 210-pound Whitlow, who had a career-high 208 scrimmage yards against Ole Miss in a 31-16 win.

Auburn also returns true sophomore Shaun Shivers, who rushed 70 times for 371 yards and three scores last year.

The backfield future looks bright for the Tigers. They open the season against the Oregon Ducks on Aug. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Bigsby's first collegiate game can be as soon as Sept. 5, 2020, when Auburn hosts the Division I FCS Alcorn State Braves.

Chris Thompson Jr. announced Sunday his decision to commit to Auburn with a short video on Twitter.

"If you never leave, you never learn...," Thompson wrote to accompany the video, crediting LeBron James with the quote. "Be comfortable with being uncomfortable."

https://twitter.com/cdotcaash_/status/1158076707150204928

The defensive back is a native of Duncanville, Texas, but chose Auburn over the Texas Longhorns. Thompson's decision comes as a surprise, as 247Sports' Crystal Ball Predictions gave Texas a 100 percent chance of landing him.

Thompson is a 4-star prospect and member of the class of 2020.

According to 247Sports, Thompson ranks 210th of all recruits nationally and 18th at the safety position. Along with Texas, Thompson selected Auburn over offers from Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Clemson. He received 36 offers.

At Duncanville High School, Thompson has played at free safety and strong safety.

247Sports' Gabe Brooks wrote a scouting report on Thompson after evaluating him on Nov. 23, 2018, saying he was a "physical defender with elite frame potential" who delivered "highlight-reel pops in the open field." Brooks noted he could play multiple positions in college but "must improve lateral fluidity and man coverage ability to stay at safety."

Brooks projected Thompson to develop into a Power Five starter for the Tigers and made his NFL comparison to T.J. McDonald of the Miami Dolphins.

Sixteen-year-old Johnston Taylor was arrested on Monday and charged with two counts of manslaughter in connection to the death of longtime Auburn radio announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, on May 25, according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Taylor is being held on $50,000 bond.

ESPN.com previously reported that Rod, 53, died of a severe closed head injury. Paula, 52, died of multiple internal injuries. Taylor was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, per the Montgomery Advertiser's Josh Vitale.

According to Schlabach, Taylor's jeep was "traveling at an excessive rate of speed, well over the posted 55 mph speed limit" when it crashed into the back of the Brambletts' vehicle. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences later found marijuana in Taylor's system at the time of the crash.

Taylor will be tried as an adult, according to WFSA (h/t WBRC FOX6).

Bramblett served as the radio announcer for Auburn's football, men's basketball and baseball teams. His most iconic call came on the "Kick Six" in the 2013 Iron Bowl, as Chris Davis returned a missed Alabama field-goal attempt for a game-winning touchdown:

Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife died in a car accident.

His “Kick Six” call will live on forever.

(via @AuburnFootball)pic.twitter.com/w4l9zZSOth

— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) May 26, 2019

He won the Alabama State Broadcaster of the Year award three times (2006, 2010, 2013).

Auburn football, men's basketball and baseball radio announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, died from injuries suffered in a car crash Saturday night in Alabama, according to ESPN.com.

The university and its president, Steven Leath, added the following:

The Auburn Family is devastated by the tragic passing of Rod and Paula Bramblett. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/BiynTWHcIx

— Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) May 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/AuburnPrez/status/1132514466007080960

According to ESPN's report, Rod Bramblett, 53, died at UAB Hospital in Birmingham from a severe closed head injury, while Paula Bramblett, 52, died of multiple internal injuries in the emergency room of East Alabama Medical Center.

The other driver in the crash, a 16-year-old boy, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Josh Vitale of the Montgomery Advertiser.

Auburn Police and the county coroner's office are investigating the crash.

Bramblett had served as the radio announcer for the Tigers' baseball team since 1993, and he took over as the football and men's basketball play-by-play guy as well in 2003. He won the Alabama State Broadcaster of the Year award three times (2006, 2010, 2013).

You will not find a kinder, more unselfish sole than Rod. His love for Auburn, our student athletes and coaches is genuine and heard loud and clear. Praying for Rod, Paula and Bramblett Family https://t.co/XXdvs7oafX

— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) May 26, 2019

This news of Rod and Paula Bramblett is devastating. They were fantastic human beings. I will always cherish my 4 years working with Rod. He loved his Tigers. He loved his family. He loved his job. He loved people....Please PRAY for Shelby and Josh, their 2 children. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/7zE1mxA2Il

— Gene Chizik (@CoachGeneChizik) May 26, 2019

Arguably his most famous calls included Auburn winning the 2011 BCS National Championship Game and Chris Davis' game-winning touchdown return on Alabama's missed field-goal attempt during the 2013 Iron Bowl.

Rod Bramblett was a 1988 Auburn graduate.

The process of replacing quarterback Jarrett Stidham began in earnest Saturday, as the Orange team defeated the Blue team 28-10 in the Auburn A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

True freshman Bo Nix and redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood emerged as the top two candidates to succeed Stidham under center, as they both put up big numbers.

Nix went 11-of-17 for 155 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while Gatewood threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns on 8-of-12 passing. Nix and Gatewood benefited from facing the second-team offense in the first half before switching from Orange to Blue in order to face the No. 1 defense in the second half.

Junior quarterback Malik Willis was in the opposite boat, and while he wasn't quite as impressive as Nix and Gatewood, he still acquitted himself well with 85 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-10 passing.

The quarterbacks weren't the only offensive stars, as wide receivers Seth Williams and Matthew Hill put up big numbers as well. Williams racked up four receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns for Orange, and Hill registered four grabs for 93 yards and two scores while splitting time with both teams.

Williams was named the offensive MVP of the game.

Saturday's game started off with a bang when Willis gave Blue the early lead on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Hill, who located and caught the ball beautifully:

Malik Willis goes DEEP ... WHAT. A. CATCH. 😱 pic.twitter.com/cIqbJAqlCj

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 13, 2019

After that, it was essentially all Orange for the remainder of the first half.

Nix tied the game shortly after Willis gave Blue the lead when he rolled to the right and threw against the grain to hit wideout Eli Stove for an 11-yard score:

https://twitter.com/MattLowe777/status/1117163851680821249

Josh Vitale of the Montgomery Advertiser and Tucker Sargent of 41NBC were among those who liked what they saw out of the true freshman signal-caller on his first drive:

Touchdown. Bo Nix to Eli Stove from 11 yards out. Rolled out to his right and hit Stove coming across the field.

That was a heck of a drive from Nix: 4-6, 63 yards and a TD, plus 2 carries for 7 yards. Would have been more without the non-contact jersey. Looked in command.

— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) April 13, 2019

Bo Nix confident and aggressive in his opening spring game drive. #Auburn

— Tucker Sargent (@TuckSargent) April 13, 2019

Blue kicked a field goal to take a 10-7 lead, but on the first play of the second quarter, Gatewood connected with Williams on an 11-yard touchdown that saw Williams come down with the ball in traffic.

Gatewood and Williams hooked up again shortly thereafter when Williams won the ball in double coverage for a 29-yard touchdown to help make it 21-10 in favor of Orange. AL.com's Tom Green noted how the touchdown was all about Williams' ability to attack the football:

Seth Williams is a damn problem.

Just snatched a ball in double coverage out of the air that probably should have been picked off by the safety, Jamien Sherwdood, over the top.

Williams has four catches for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It's not yet halftime.

— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) April 13, 2019

Auburn running back and track star Shaun Shivers didn't have the words to describe Williams' impressive catch:

Seth Williams 🤷🏾‍♂️

— ShiversJr (@V8Blazing) April 13, 2019

In the closing moments of the first half, Nix helped to extend the Orange lead to 28-10 with a 49-yard touchdown strike to a wide-open Hill.

Although Orange was all over Blue in the first half, there were some positives for the Blue team. In addition to Willis' touchdown pass to Hill, freshman running back D.J. Williams ran the ball effectively.

Williams finished with 55 yards on 11 carries for the game, and Benjamin Wolk of Rivals was one of many who praised his performance:

D.J. Williams can play

— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) April 13, 2019

While JaTarvious Whitlow and Kam Martin are penciled in as the top two running backs on Auburn's depth chart, Williams' performance suggests that he could work his way into the rotation.

With a running clock in the second half, neither offense could get anything going, resulting in no scoring over the final two quarters.

Head coach Gus Malzahn has several options as it relates to the starting quarterback battle, and although he is likely happy with how the candidates performed, there isn't yet a clear front-runner to take over for Stidham.

That will undoubtedly be the biggest storyline surrounding the Tigers as they prepare for the regular-season opener against Oregon on Aug. 31.

The Auburn Tigers are ushering in a new era at quarterback, but which signal-caller fills the void left by Jarrett Stidham has yet to be determined. 

The ongoing search for a new starting quarterback is the top story going into Auburn's spring game Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Alabama. 

Head coach Gus Malzahn will choose his starter from a group of four quarterbacks, but Saturday's game is only another step into naming the top man on the depth chart in the summer. 

Although the quarterbacks will receive the bulk of the attention Saturday, there are a few other players to watch as Auburn gears up to challenge in the SEC West. 

                             

2019 Auburn Spring Game Information

Date: Saturday, April 13

Start Time: 4 p.m. ET 

TV: SEC Network

Live Stream: Watch ESPN or ESPN app

                     

Auburn isn't expected to do much on a national level in 2019, as it is far down the odds chart of potential national champions at +2800 (bet $100 to win $2,800), per Oddschecker. 

Before the Tigers can focus on shocking people on a national stage, they have to figure out who will be starting under center. 

Joey Gatewood, Malik Willis, Cord Sandberg and Bo Nix are all in competition to take over the spot held by Stidham on the depth chart over the last few years. 

The good news for Malzahn and his staff is the group has progressed since the start of spring practice, per AL.com's Tom Green. 

"We got more information, but we've been challenging them, we've been straining them, putting them in a lot of different situations," Malzahn said. "That's a very, very important position for us, but I feel more comfortable than when we started." 

Willis is the most experienced of the bunch as a junior, while Sandberg and Gatewood are redshirt freshmen and Nix is a true freshman. 

Even though each contender for the starting gig will receive snaps Saturday, the decision, and even a depth chart, might not be prepared for the public, as Malzahn noted, per Josh Vitale of the Montgomery Advertiser.

"I can't tell you right now that we're going to leave spring with a depth chart or anything like that, but I will say this—each day you get more information," Malzahn said. "Some days, certain people look better than others, and the next day is different.”

There's plenty of pressure on Malzahn to make the right decision at quarterback since his teams have produced a single 10-win season since reaching the national championship in 2013. 

An eight-win season in 2018 and the continued success of rival Alabama puts Malzahn under more pressure to show improvement after a year in which the Tigers landed in the Music City Bowl. 

As long as the Auburn coaching staff gets a good feel for who should win the job come August, the Tigers will take an important step forward Saturday. 

But the focus won't solely be on the Auburn offense, as a few spring standouts are expected to make their mark in Saturday's contest. 

Of the positional groups on defense, the defensive line should stand out the most given how much depth there is at the position. 

Nick Coe and Marlon Davidson are among the top returners on the defensive interior, while T.D. Moultry, Richard Jibunor and Big Kat Bryant are part of a large collection of players looking to take the next step on the line. 

If Auburn's loaded defensive line is able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2019, it will flip the ball back to the offense quickly, which means Auburn has to have the right signal-caller in place to take advantage of scoring opportunities. 

                                 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Auburn has hired Kenny Dillingham as its newest offensive coordinator after he served in the same role at Memphis, according to Jason Caldwell of Scout.com.

Dillingham will also serve as the team's quarterback coach.

Auburn needed to replace former offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who left to coach under Les Miles at Kansas.

Dillingham is one of the youngest coordinators in the country, earning the role this season with Memphis at just 28 years old.

He joined the Tigers in 2016 after coaching for Arizona State, quickly rising up the ranks from a graduate assistant to running the offense in three years.

"He's relentless in everything he does. He puts his heart into it, and he's got a great football mind," Memphis coach Mike Norvell said in June, per Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "We've been together so long [that] he's got a pretty good sense of how I think and what we need to accomplish."

The offense thrived this season, ranking seventh in the FBS with 43.6 points scored per game. The team also showed impressive balance with quarterback Brady White throwing for 3,125 passing yards and 25 touchdowns and Darrell Henderson rushing for 1,909 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.

He will now have to take over an Auburn offense that was inconsistent this season, ranking tied for 72nd in college football with 28.2 points per game. The squad will also have to replace starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who declared for the NFL draft.

While Dillingham doesn't have much experience, he has a chance to make a significant impact for the Tigers next season.