So what is the point to this 3-part saga?
For as "gimmicky" and "high school" based the Gus Malzahn offense is criticized for being, and I mainly here this on the Bunker so maybe this isn't a national perspective, this offense has truly thrived under the control of Transfer QBs that possess a unique and elite set of skills. Seen that with Cam and Nick.
And now insert Jarrett Stidham.
The former 5-star QB recruit arrived in Auburn via transfer from Baylor. As a freshman at Baylor, Stidham left very little room for questions about his true talent and ability as a QB. Stidham arrived at Auburn with the expectation of being the QB1 and there was no reason to ever expect anything different.
Stidham came to Auburn after having sat out a full season. And unlike Newton and Marshall, Stidham did not play football at a JuCo. After a few early season bumps, Stidham would clearly display his talent and ability in the offense for the remainder of the season. Earning himself a 2nd Team All-SEC QB. He enters year #2 in 2018, having expectations that extend beyond just the season but into the NFL Draft. And like Cameron Newton, this is legitimate potential from an Auburn QB.
This leads us to the point. And that is something I don't quite understand.
The most successful Auburn seasons with Gus Malzahn are correlated with Transfer QBs. 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017.
For an offense that is "gimmicky" and "high school like" it seems fascinating that it is "dumbed-down" enough for our most successful seasons with Transfer QBs.
Maybe that is the key?
It is such a simple offense that it only needs a talented QB with a competent skill set to come in and master. And in the case of Cam or Stidham, be so good that the credit is typically attributed to anybody other than Gus, the architect of the offense.
This is not an attempt to spin the misses in recruiting and the lack of development of high school QBs, but an attempt to understand successes that have been contributed from an interesting source such as the Transfer QB. Clearly, Bo Nix is a can't miss prospect and all indications point to him being a good QB for the future of AU.
But please... do not put all your eggs into that basket. We have seen that failure before with Jeremy Johnson. Gus and company should continue looking for an option at QB that could come via the Transfer route. For whatever reason, this offense has been geared for success in the hands of the Transfer QBs.
And if that is what makes his offense "gimmicky and high school like" sign me up for another successful run in 2018 and beyond.
For as "gimmicky" and "high school" based the Gus Malzahn offense is criticized for being, and I mainly here this on the Bunker so maybe this isn't a national perspective, this offense has truly thrived under the control of Transfer QBs that possess a unique and elite set of skills. Seen that with Cam and Nick.
And now insert Jarrett Stidham.
The former 5-star QB recruit arrived in Auburn via transfer from Baylor. As a freshman at Baylor, Stidham left very little room for questions about his true talent and ability as a QB. Stidham arrived at Auburn with the expectation of being the QB1 and there was no reason to ever expect anything different.
Stidham came to Auburn after having sat out a full season. And unlike Newton and Marshall, Stidham did not play football at a JuCo. After a few early season bumps, Stidham would clearly display his talent and ability in the offense for the remainder of the season. Earning himself a 2nd Team All-SEC QB. He enters year #2 in 2018, having expectations that extend beyond just the season but into the NFL Draft. And like Cameron Newton, this is legitimate potential from an Auburn QB.
This leads us to the point. And that is something I don't quite understand.
The most successful Auburn seasons with Gus Malzahn are correlated with Transfer QBs. 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017.
For an offense that is "gimmicky" and "high school like" it seems fascinating that it is "dumbed-down" enough for our most successful seasons with Transfer QBs.
Maybe that is the key?
It is such a simple offense that it only needs a talented QB with a competent skill set to come in and master. And in the case of Cam or Stidham, be so good that the credit is typically attributed to anybody other than Gus, the architect of the offense.
This is not an attempt to spin the misses in recruiting and the lack of development of high school QBs, but an attempt to understand successes that have been contributed from an interesting source such as the Transfer QB. Clearly, Bo Nix is a can't miss prospect and all indications point to him being a good QB for the future of AU.
But please... do not put all your eggs into that basket. We have seen that failure before with Jeremy Johnson. Gus and company should continue looking for an option at QB that could come via the Transfer route. For whatever reason, this offense has been geared for success in the hands of the Transfer QBs.
And if that is what makes his offense "gimmicky and high school like" sign me up for another successful run in 2018 and beyond.
