After 16 days of fall practice Gus Malzahn has named Nick Marshall as the starting quarterback, making him the seventh different opening-day starter in the last seven years.
"Nick Marshall has emerged and earned the right to be our starting quarterback," Malzahn said in a press release. "As I've said, we wanted to go with the guy that gives us the best opportunity to win football games and Nick is that guy. He has caught on quickly in the short period of time he has been with us. He is a playmaker with a big upside, and once he becomes more comfortable with the offense, he has the chance to improve each week."
Malzahn made the announcement that Marshall would be the starter through Twitter.
"I've named Nick Marshall our starting QB. He's earned that opportunity. Auburn family lets get behind him and the team. #WarEagle," Malzahn wrote.
Marshall was chosen over freshman Jeremy Johnson and sophomore Jonathan Wallace after a competitive neck-and-neck battle for the starting position.
Marshall signed with the University of Georgia as a defensive back coming out of high school in 2011, but was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.
He played last season at Garden City Community College passing for 3,142 yards, 18 touchdowns and also had 1,095 yards on the ground with 19 rushing touchdowns.
A big concern with Marshall going into fall practice was ball security. He threw 20 interceptions last season at Garden City. This has been a big focus for Marshall so far in fall practice, and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and Malzahn believe he has improved enough in this area to earn the starting job.
Regardless of his interceptions last season, Marshall's athletic ability and strong arm appears to be exactly what Malzahn is looking for in his starting quarterback.
Marshall will make his first start for Auburn against Washington State on Aug. 31 as he looks to help the Tigers rebound from a disastrous 3-9 campaign in 2012.
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