re: Fall Camp Discussion- Bo Nix Named Starting QB

quote:

---

No. 4 Bo Nix, quarterback

Recruiting ranking: 5 stars, 0.9857 247Sports Composite; No. 1 dual-threat quarterback

---

quote:

---

2019 outlook: The battle for the starting job between Nix and redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood will begin in earnest Aug. 2, when preseason camp opens at Auburn. The work preparing for the battle started seven months ago, however. For Nix's part, he worked to gain strength and add muscle to his freshman frame. He is listed at 207 pounds on the roster, but we're told at Auburn Undercover he is tipping the scales at 215 pounds after a strong offseason of workouts.

Nix and Gatewood are both dual-threat quarterbacks, with much different statures and styles. Nix (6-2, 215) is a pocket passer, but can run zone-read plays to the outside much like Jarrett Stidham did during the previous two seasons. The difference? Nix is faster, though no one will confuse his quickness for that of former Auburn speedster Nick Marshall. Gatewood is bigger at 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds and can run inside more often to pick up third-and-short downs.

Auburn coaches have not ruled out the possibility of entering the season opener Aug. 31 with a plan to play both quarterbacks against Oregon. In fact, at this point, that's the expectation. Gatewood has a tad more experience and a bigger frame. Nix might have the better arm.

"The more reps they get, obviously the better they’re going to be," Malzahn said in the spring. "But they showed that they can lead our offense and both of them have a chance to be a very successful quarterback here at Auburn."

---

quote:

---

No. 3 Joey Gatewood, quarterback

Recruiting ranking: 4 stars, 0.9759 247Sports Composite; No. 1 athlete

---

quote:

---

2019 outlook: If Gatewood does not win the starting job, the redshirt freshman will likely play in the opener in a package. That’s our expectation, at least.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn’s eyes light up whenever he discusses Gatewood’s ability to run over linebackers and pick up three yards when nothing seems to be there. "When you let him go live," said Malzahn, "there’s a big difference." He also did well throwing the ball in Auburn’s A-Day game, something his high school coach (Darrell Sutherland) and private coach (Denny Thompson), tells us is extremely underrated and not talked about enough when analysts dissect Gatewood’s performances.

Gatewood threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns on 8 of 12 passing at the A-Day game, which included seven completions, 123 yards and two scores in the first half. He rushed only once for 1 yard because of the restrictions placed on the quarterbacks, who were not allowed to be tackled by defenders.

"I’m telling you," receiver Seth Williams said. "He’s another Cam Newton back there. Once he gets live, he turns into a whole other person. Like, you couldn’t see it for real with this spring, with the scrimmage, the QBs not live — but once they’re live, I don’t think, [the defense] can’t get back there."

Gatewood’s huge build and fire power as a runner and thrower, along with a one-year jump of experience on Nix, might be enough to tempt coaches to hand the reins of the offense over to the big man.

“I’m not going to sit here and lie to you," said receiver Matthew Hill. "He doesn't like being compared to Cam Newton, but that's just the only person you can compare him to."

---

quote:

---

No. 2 Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., senior

Recruiting ranking: 4 stars, 0.4981 247Sports Composite; No. 4 strong side defensive end

---

quote:

---

2019 outlook: Wanogho was projected as a late-round prospect in the 2019 draft, but should he play how offensive line coach J.B. Grimes believes he is capable as a senior, his stock will soar this fall.

“You know what I mean by one of them? He can be one of them, with improvement this year, and I see him really, really having a big year this year if he can stay healthy," Grimes said. "I think he can be one of them, one of those guys on the first day.”

Should Wanogho Jr. be selected in the first round, he'll be the first left tackle from Auburn in the first round since Greg Robinson in 2014, yet another player under Grimes.

Is he capable of reaching that level? Scouts certainly love his size and improvement last season, particularly near the end of the season. He earned the highest grade, regardless of position, in the Tigers' 63-14 victory against Purdue in the Music City Bowl, according to Pro Football Focus.

Auburn returns all five starters (all seniors) along the offensive line, but Wanogho Jr. is easily the best player. He's dominant, consistent and has yet to reach his potential. He not only is the best player on offense entering the fall, he probably also has the longest NFL career among his teammates with a great senior year at Auburn. He's a left tackle an NFL team could build its offense around and block the blind side of its quarterback.

---

quote:

---

No. 1 Derrick Brown, senior

Recruiting ranking: 5 stars, 0.9964 247Sports Composite; No. 4 defensive tackle

---

quote:

---

2019 outlook: Auburn returns all but one starter along the defensive line, and that spot is next to Brown at tackle. There will be more pressure on Brown to perform because coaches are not quite sure who will replace Dontavius Russell, who demanded plenty of attention next to Brown throughout Brown's career as a starter. Simply put, Brown will get more attention this upcoming season from offensive linemen as Auburn tries to figure out what to do at the other tackle spots.

“There’s a lot of talk about us being the top-rated group, but I mean, we’re going to go in there every single day and work like we’re last place in what we do," Brown said. "If you don’t, if you’re in first place and you don’t work hard, there’s only one way to go. If you’re already at the top, the only thing you’re going to do is go down at that point. We’re just going forward and being humble about it and have no attitude about it. Push forward.”

Brown is the best NFL Draft prospect on the roster, and could be a top-5 pick, which is something Brown strives to achieve with yet another strong season. He demands double teams and distracts opposing coaches as they devise game plans, and that's all you can ask for from a player.

Off the field, Brown has been the model student-athlete in the classroom and with charities. He even volunteers to help coach at camps across the country, along with speaking across the country at events, including an event at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in the spring.

---