Soon after Malzahn made the surprising announcement that Kiehl Frazier would be moving to defense and Kiehl would be speaking to the media, everyone had the same thought.
Here we go again- another Clint Moseley crying at the podium speech.
But what wasn't thought was, yes, this would be similar to another quarterback being told he would not be the starter once the season started, but it wouldn't be like Moseley.
He handled it like Kodi Burns.
I was stunned as Kiehl walked into the auditorium to meet the media with his head held high and a smile on his face.
Instead of choking back tears he was holding back a smile.
He handled this tough situation in such a way that would have made any Auburn fan proud.
He handled it like an Auburn man.
A player that was once considered the next Cam Newton; ranked as the No. 1 dual threat quarterback and the USA Today offensive player of the year coming out of high school.
But when Malzahn and Rhett Lashlee told him the news Sunday night he didn't throw these things in their face and demand to be the starter or else he would transfer.
His response to the news was simple, how can I help the team, coach?
Much like Burns, Kiehl decided to take the high road.
"It was something that I've really been thinking about for a while, and when Coach Malzahn met with all the quarterbacks yesterday we kind of made a mutual decision that it would be best for the team for me to move to safety," Frazier said. "That's something that I'm really going to embrace and try to help the team out."
He also didn't throw the blame for his quarterback career not working out on anyone else.
Even after he was thrown into the impossible situation, last season, of trying to lead a pro-style offensive attack when neither he nor the players around him were suited to execute that type of offense.
No, he again took the high road.
"Everything that happened last year, I wouldn't take it back because it was something that the team learned from, and I think it was something that can help us going into this season," Frazier said.
His attention isn't being spent on what happened in the past, and what he can't control.
He's worried about learning his new position, fitting in with the defensive players and most of all looking the part.
Kiehl went to the equipment guy and changed everything; his pads, his facemask, most likely will be changing his number and he got a visor for his helmet.
"I'm trying to look cool out there," he jokingly said.
With all this being said, it was still probably very tough on him that it didn't work out at quarterback.
But fortunately he has someone to seek advice from, Kodi Burns.
Burns was in almost the exact same situation. He played quarterback for two years and was then demoted to become Chris Todd's backup.
He didn't cry, all he did was move to wide receiver and help his team win a national championship.
Kiehl noticed this and wants to handle things similarly.
"You know if I can make as big an impact as Kodi made, and be the person that Kodi is then I think this will definitely be a good move in the end."
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