TJ Finley Named Auburn Starting QB

T.J. Finley (1)Auburn football open fan practice on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 Auburn, Ala.Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

After one of the most turbulent off-season’s in the history of Auburn football, the Tigers finally have their quarterback for the season opener this Saturday against Mercer after Bryan Harsin announced that TJ Finley has won the job.

After Zach Calzada transferred from Texas A&M earlier this offseason, it was suspected that Calzada was brought in to be the starting QB. But as camp went on, the reports around his performance only became more negative to the point where he had slipped to third string behind redshirt freshman Robby Ashford.

Finley is the only returning quarterback from last year’s team and started 3 games last season, going 0-3 and competing just 55.8% of his passes, but has improved this offseason in multiple areas according to Bryan Harsin.

“He’s able to operate from the sideline to the huddle, on the field and whatever it is we’re doing. Fundamentally, he’s gotten better as a thrower and as a decision-maker,” Harsin stated on the decison.

Harsin likely feels that Finley’s experience in his offense coupled with the improvements he has made combine to make him the best man for the job. Finley certainly had his struggles last season, so it remains to be seen if this move is more of a statement about the improvement he has made, or an indictment on the other QBs on the roster. Either way, TJ Finley is your starting quarterback on The Plains.