Auburn’s new quarterback room features fresh talent, with competition among incoming recruits and returning players to establish leadership.

As Auburn football heads into the 2024 season, one of the most intriguing storylines is the quarterback room, which has seen a significant overhaul under head coach Hugh Freeze. After a season in which the Tigers struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position, Auburn has made it clear that the competition for the starting role will be wide open, with both incoming talent and returning players vying for the chance to lead the team. With Auburn’s football program in the midst of a rebuild, the quarterback situation has become critical to its success, making the development of this position one of the key areas of focus.

The importance of the quarterback position cannot be overstated in college football, especially in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where the competition is fierce and the margin for error is razor-thin. For Auburn, finding the right signal-caller is essential not only for this season but for setting the tone for the program’s long-term future. Whether it’s a transfer, a returning player, or a promising recruit, the quarterback room in 2024 will be one of the most talked-about and scrutinized positions on the team.

The 2023 Quarterback Struggles

Before diving into the new talent entering the quarterback room, it’s important to first reflect on the struggles Auburn faced at the position during the 2023 season. Under Hugh Freeze, the Tigers cycled through multiple quarterbacks, trying to find the right fit for the offense. The lack of stability at quarterback became a significant factor in Auburn’s inability to consistently compete in the SEC. While the Tigers had flashes of potential, especially on defense, the offense, particularly the passing game, was inconsistent and lacked the necessary rhythm to sustain success.

In 2023, the Auburn quarterbacks faced challenges with both execution and injuries. A lack of a clear leader under center contributed to the team’s inability to establish any sort of offensive identity. Whether it was inconsistent play from the quarterbacks themselves, offensive line struggles, or a lack of playmaking from the receiving corps, the quarterback position remained a weak link in a season that saw Auburn finish with a 6-6 record.

One of the primary issues was the inconsistency at the quarterback position, where Freeze rotated quarterbacks in an effort to find the right one. The team never settled on a starting quarterback for an extended period, which prevented any of the players from building chemistry with the offensive line or the receiving corps. As a result, Auburn’s offense was unable to establish a consistent rhythm, which was a significant factor in its struggles during the season.

Looking ahead to 2024, Auburn knew that it would need a clear leader at quarterback to take the next step and return to competitiveness in the SEC. This would mean that the quarterback room would undergo significant changes, with new faces entering the fold to compete for the starting job.

Incoming Recruits: The Future of Auburn’s Quarterback Room

One of the most exciting aspects of Auburn’s quarterback room in 2024 is the influx of fresh talent. With Hugh Freeze known for his ability to recruit and develop quarterbacks, Auburn has brought in several promising recruits who will push the returning players for playing time.

1. Walker White (Freshman)

One of the most highly anticipated arrivals in the 2024 quarterback room is Walker White, a four-star recruit from Little Rock, Arkansas. White, who committed to Auburn in 2023, is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class. He brings a powerful arm, great athleticism, and an ability to make plays both in the pocket and on the move. His skill set fits well within Freeze’s offensive system, which emphasizes versatility and the ability to make explosive plays in both the passing and running game.

White’s arrival has generated significant excitement among Auburn fans, as many see him as a potential long-term solution at quarterback. While it’s unlikely that White will be handed the starting job immediately, his talent and potential make him a key figure in Auburn’s future. The question will be whether he can learn quickly enough and outperform the returning players in the quarterback competition to earn the starting spot in 2024.

2. AJ Adams (Freshman)

Another highly regarded freshman in Auburn’s quarterback room is AJ Adams, a dual-threat quarterback from Memphis, Tennessee. Adams brings a different skill set than White, with exceptional mobility and a playmaking ability that could make him an ideal fit in Freeze’s up-tempo offense. His ability to escape pressure and make plays on the run is a strength, and his dynamic athleticism could give Auburn’s offense an added dimension in 2024.

Adams’ ability to adjust to the college game will be crucial, especially given the steep learning curve most freshmen quarterbacks face. However, his talent and versatility make him another intriguing option in the quarterback competition. Whether he can challenge White or the returning players for the starting job remains to be seen, but he will certainly be in the mix as the competition unfolds.

3. Chris Parson (Freshman)

A third freshman entering Auburn’s quarterback room in 2024 is Chris Parson, a four-star quarterback from Nashville, Tennessee. Parson is known for his high football IQ, strong arm, and accuracy as a passer. He is more of a traditional pocket passer compared to White and Adams but has the ability to make plays when needed. Parson’s precision as a passer could make him a natural fit in Freeze’s offense, which often relies on quick passes and efficient decision-making.

Parson’s arrival adds more depth to Auburn’s quarterback competition and provides Freeze with yet another promising young quarterback to develop. Like White and Adams, Parson will need time to adjust to the speed of college football, but he has the tools to be successful at the next level.

Returning Players: The Battle for the Starting Job

While the incoming recruits have generated a great deal of excitement, Auburn also has several returning players in the quarterback room who will compete for the starting job in 2024. These players bring experience to the table, and the battle for the starting position could come down to which quarterback shows the most improvement and consistency during the offseason and fall camp.

1. Robby Ashford (Junior)

Robby Ashford, who served as Auburn’s primary starting quarterback during the 2023 season, returns for his junior year in 2024. Ashford, a former transfer from Oregon, had moments of brilliance during the 2023 season but struggled with consistency at times. He is an athletic quarterback who is capable of making plays with his legs, and he showed flashes of being a dynamic dual-threat option for the Tigers.

While Ashford’s running ability is one of his biggest strengths, his struggles as a passer held back Auburn’s offense in 2023. He often looked inaccurate on deep throws and was inconsistent in terms of decision-making. For Ashford to remain in the competition for the starting role in 2024, he will need to improve his passing mechanics and ability to make quick, accurate throws under pressure.

Ashford has the experience advantage, having played in multiple games for Auburn, but the pressure from the incoming freshmen will push him to elevate his game. He will need to prove that he can lead the team and operate efficiently within Freeze’s offense to secure the starting job for the upcoming season.

2. Holden Geriner (Sophomore)

Holden Geriner, a sophomore who saw limited action in 2023, is another returning player who will be in the mix for the starting job. Geriner, a former highly-rated recruit, has a strong arm and the ability to make all the throws required at the college level. However, like Ashford, he also struggled with consistency in his limited appearances.

Geriner’s development in the offseason will be key to his chances of competing for the starting role in 2024. If he can take a significant step forward in terms of decision-making, accuracy, and understanding of the offense, he could challenge Ashford or even the freshmen for the job.

The Competition: Who Will Win the Starting Job?

The quarterback competition at Auburn heading into 2024 is expected to be one of the most closely watched storylines of the offseason. With a mix of incoming talent and returning players, Freeze will have plenty of options to choose from. The competition is expected to be wide open, with no clear frontrunner emerging early on.

Several factors will come into play in determining who ultimately wins the starting job. These include:

• Consistency: Which quarterback can perform at a high level day in and day out? In a league as competitive as the SEC, consistency is key.
• Decision-making: Can the quarterbacks make quick, effective decisions under pressure? The quarterback position requires mental toughness and the ability to process information rapidly.
• Leadership: Who can inspire and lead the offense? Quarterbacks need to be able to rally their teammates and lead by example.
• Fit within the system: How well can the quarterbacks adapt to Freeze’s system and execute the offensive scheme?

Ultimately, the competition will come down to which quarterback can perform the best during fall camp and consistently prove that they are ready to lead the Auburn offense. Whether it’s one of the returning players like Ashford or Geriner, or one of the incoming freshmen like White, Adams, or Parson, the quarterback position will be crucial to Auburn’s success in 2024.