MOBILE, AL (WNSP) – Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn “feels good” about his current corral of quarterbacks.
Malzahn sat down with Mark Heim and Lee Shirvanian from WNSP’s Opening Kickoff on Thursday to talk spring football, the transition to summer, and the next season.
Malzahn said “it’s hard to compare” transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s spring game to the Tigers’ previous two transfer QBs—Heisman winner Cam Newton and Nick Marshall, who both took Auburn to the national title game—because Newton’s game was “a different day” and Marshall missed the spring game.
“The thing that stands out to me about Jarrett is his leadership ability,” Malzahn said. “He’s done a good job of befriending his teammates, trying to earn the respect of his teammates and his coaches.”
That said, Malzahn told Mark and Lee that Jarrett’s arrival made last year’s starter Sean White a better quarterback as well.
“There’s nothing better than competition,” he said. “I just think it brings out the best in everybody.”
Hear the full interview below.
For more, listen to the Opening Kickoff with Mark and Lee weekdays from 6 to 9 am on WNSP.