2010 QB situation

Ok, so it's been a while, but here we go:

Auburn is going to face an interesting situation is trying to find a new starting QB next season - and it'll be quite the opposite of last year's situation. Last year, nobody was really poised to step up in the eyes of most Auburn fans, but Chris Todd did and was fantastic. I think this year, the same things will happen, but not like most people are imagining it.

Auburn just signed Cameron Newton, the top Junior College quarterback in the country. He's a five-star guy that was one of the top QBs in the country coming out of high school. He signed with Florida after the year they won the National Championship with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. This guy is a supreme talent, there's no doubt about it. And most people think he is the heir apparent to Todd. But in the famed words of Lee Corse, "Not so fast, my friend."

Let's not forget about Tyrik Rollison. Two years ago, this guy was the 2nd highest rated dual-threat QB in the country as well as one of the top-rated passers. And after watching his videos, I think he's a better passer than he is a runner. He's a very mature passer who goes through his checks and nothing is there, he either dumps the ball to a back or takes off running, while still looking for a pass opportunity. His football knowledge seems off the charts, and he is very calm and poised in the pocket. He's got that moxie that is absolutely necessary to be a top-notch QB.

I don't exactly seem the same attributes in Newton. Granted, he's big and displays excellent leadership qualities, but he's not nearly as refined a passer as Rollison. Newton can run, and might even be a little better runner than Rollison, but I think it's only because of his size and willingness to lower his should - much like Tebow was (think that's maybe why Florida recruited him so hard out of high school?).

I just feel like Gus Mahzahn is more prone to go with the better passer, and according to the videos I've watched, that appears to be Rollison. Now, Newton might be a little more mature and "ready" to take over an SEC offense, but that remains to be seen - especially given that Rollison redshirted last season and studies under Todd and the coaching staff all year. So who knows...

If I were going to make a prediction as of right now, I'd say Newton is the opening day QB, with Rollison seeing significant playing time, and I wouldn't necessarily be surprised to see Neil Caudle start the season as the backup. But I think Rollison is the future of Auburn Football and may even take over the job before the year is done. And the following year, I think Rollison wins it over Newton and everyone else in the mix.