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.
Malzahntold reportersSunday 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 Vitaleof 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, per247Sports.
The Tigers will open this seasonrankedNo. 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.
4-Star RB Prospect Tank Bigsby Commits to Auburn over Georgia, LSU, More
Aug 9, 2019
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.
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 recruitingSteve 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.
4-Star DB Prospect Chris Thompson Jr. Commits to Auburn over Texas
Aug 4, 2019
AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 13: Detailed view of Auburn Tigers helmets and Under Armour equipment during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Jordan Hare Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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."
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.
16-Year-Old Johnston Taylor Charged in Death of Auburn Radio's Rod Bramblett
Jul 2, 2019
COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Auburn Tigers helmet sits on the bench at Kyle Field on November 7, 2015 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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/tWBRC 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.
He won the Alabama State Broadcaster of the Year award three times (2006, 2010, 2013).
Auburn Radio's Rod Bramblett, Wife Paula Die from Injuries Suffered in Car Crash
May 26, 2019
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 19: The Auburn Tigers logo on a pair of shorts during a first round game of Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Xavier Musketeers at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
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
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 toJosh Vitaleof 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
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
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.
Orange Beats Blue at 2019 Auburn Spring Game as Bo Nix, Joey Gatewood Shine
Apr 13, 2019
AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 3: Wide receiver Seth Williams #18 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the forth quarter of their game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 3 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
Auburn Spring Game 2019: Odds, Date, Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream
Apr 12, 2019
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 28: Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn reacts after the Tigers defeated the Purdue Boilermakers at Nissan Stadium on December 28, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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.
