Entering his first season at Auburn, offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has several playmakers at his disposal, including two quarterbacks who have started for two different teams. Although Lindsey is not ready to declare a starter, he had nothing but good things to say about both Sean White and Jarrett Stidham.
“(Jarrett) has continued to impress,” Lindsey said about Stidham. “His grasp of the offense is improving. I think for Jarrett, it’s just getting comfortable with our wide outs. Having these wide outs back, I think that’s continuing to improve.”
“Sean is really smart,” Auburn’s first-year offensive coordinator said about White. “He’s been around and played a lot. I like what I have seen from Sean.
“Sean is a guy I lean on some because he’s played here. Sean’s done it a lot. I like where his mindset is. He is here to work and compete. So far, it’s been really good.”
White started 10 games for the Tigers last season, but Stidham, who played in 10 games as a freshman at Baylor, is the overwhelming favorite to win the starting job.
Lindsey did not offer a timetable for the announcement of a starting quarterback, but he did mention what it would take for one of the quarterbacks to separate themselves.
“I think who moves the team best is right, but it is also the one that affects the other 10 guys the most,” Lindsey said about what will be the deciding factor in the quarterback race.
“The quarterback is in charge, he has to make sure we are getting all the communication done. There’s so much involved with running a play. For me, it’s about who affects the other 10 guys the best.”
The quarterbacks will continue to rotate reps with the first and second team offenses throughout the first portion of fall camp, but Lindsey said situational work will help determine who gets the nod vs. Georgia Southern.
“As we get through camp, we’ll hit third down several times. We’ll hit red zone several times. Teaching them situational football, I think that’s important for quarterbacks to understand the situation of the game,” Lindsey said.
“We’ll continue to try to evaluate them. Two of the three guys have played before, so we are just looking for really good execution.”
After three days of practice to begin August, the Tigers will take Thursday off before returning to the practice field over the weekend.
“One thing I like about our guys is, when you challenge them, they try to rise to the challenge,” Lindsey said. “I think that is a sign of a mature team, and a team that is hungry. After three days, I’m really pleased with that.
“Overall, a really good three days, a good start. A lot of things to clean up, but really pleased with the effort and attitude.”
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