Zach Calzada – Page 6 – Syndication Server

What we learned in spring, what we need to learn per ESPN

One media outlet answers what we learned after spring and what question needs to be answered.

As the summer months draw near, there are still plenty of questions surround the Auburn Tigers football program. Bryan Harsin and the staff understand the task at hand.

With the questions surrounding the depth at certain positions, and the lack of experience at others, one question is head and shoulders above the rest. What we hoped to learn revolved around one of the five quarterbacks separating themselves from the pack.

Towards the end, it was down to four with Dematrius Davis transferring out of the program. True freshman Holden Geriner doesn’t seem to have much footing in the competition per some of the reports coming out of the spring, but I wouldn’t count him out just yet.

The three to watch in the fall are all former transfers. Zach Calzada (Texas A&M), T.J. Finley (LSU), and Robby Ashford (Oregon) seem to all have a shot at this point in time. In a review of the SEC, ESPN answered two questions regarding Auburn’s spring practices:

What we learned in the spring

Bryan Harsin is still the head coach after an attempted coup, and Auburn is still interested in getting its tight ends the football. Other than that, there weren’t a lot of questions answered. The offensive line, which had several key players out, struggled, and the receivers didn’t exactly inspire confidence with their drops during last month’s scrimmage. The defense, which lost a number of players through the draft and the transfer portal, appears to be a work in progress. But, again, the tight ends figure to have another big season after catching 12 of the team’s 31 total receptions on A-Day.

What we need to learn by week 1

Give TJ Finley and Robby Ashford credit for executing the offense during the spring game. Neither quarterback turned the ball over or seemed overwhelmed by the moment. But the fact is that neither won the job with their performance. How could they when Zach Calzada wasn’t around to throw his hat in the ring? The former Texas A&M starter was sidelined while he continues to recover from an injury. When he’s back to 100% during fall camp, the real competition will begin and we’ll see who steps up to replace three-year starter Bo Nix, who left for Oregon via the portal this offseason.

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USA TODAY Sports names a winner and loser from Auburn’s spring practice

It is hard to argue with either of these decisions.

Spring football has ended across the country and we can now take a look at how each team’s standing after the practices.

As always some players performed better than expected and increased their stock. But if someone improved their stock then someone’s standing had to decrease. This is true for every team across the SEC and USA TODAY Sports reporter Bennett Durrando named his biggest winner and loser for Auburn.

His biggest winner of the spring was running back coach Cadillac Williams who was a key reason the Tank Bigsby, Auburn’s top offensive player, is still on the Plains.

Running backs coach Cadillac Williams kept Tank Bigsby around after the offense’s best player considered entering (but never did enter) the transfer portal. Now Williams gets to coach him in an even bigger role as the Tigers shifted their emphasis to Tank-first this spring.

Bigsby rushed for 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. Despite surpassing the 1,000-yard mark, many expected more from Bigsby after looking like one of the best running backs in the SEC as a freshman. But a running back depends on his offensive line and Auburn’s took a step back last season, making Bigsby’s job that much harder.

The biggest loser to Durrando was Zach Calzada, who was limited in spring with a shoulder injury and is expected to contend for the starting quarterback job once healthy.

Transfer quarterback Zach Calzada didn’t play in the spring game (shoulder). He’ll be healthy soon with a chance to start, but the injury left room for Robby Ashford’s impressive A-Day.

Entering spring practices Auburn had a battle for the starting quarterback back job with all five scholarship quarterbacks having a chance to win the job. Making the competition even tougher was Calzada’s injury, preventing him from doing the same drills as the rest of the contenders.

This allowed Ashford a bigger opportunity and he took advantage. He completed 12-of-16 passes for 132 yards and showcased his rushing ability against the first-team defense and was named the A-Day offensive MVP.

Calzada will have a chance to show why the coaching staff brought him in this offseason when he is fully healthy in the fall.

Quarterback buzz: The latest on Auburn’s battle

This battle won’t be settled any time soon.

The talk of the Plains surrounds the quarterback situation for the Auburn Tigers. We know the players. Former Texas A&M quarterback [autotag]Zach Calzada[/autotag], [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag], and former Oregon Ducks quarterback [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag].

The one name not mentioned here is freshman [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag]. We received a very limited view of him during the ‘A-Day’ spring game a couple of weeks ago. He might be the best of the bunch, but that remains to be seen. All indications seem to point to the top three battling it out and Geriner likely being redshirted for the 2022 season.

Most expect Calzada to win the job overall. In a recent quarterback battle update for the SEC, On3’s Jesse Simonton broke down several teams including Auburn.

Calzada vs Finley vs Ashford

What On3 Says…

While TJ Finley and Robby Ashford battled it out this spring, the whispers behind the scenes continue to suggest Zach Calzada, who was limited to 7-on-7 work as he recovers from a shoulder injury, remains the frontrunner to win the job.

To be clear though, nothing has been decided yet. Bryan Harsin made it known that he plans to whittle down the competition to two following the first fall scrimmage. Notably, Ashford had a strong A-Day even playing behind a shaky Tigers’ offensive line and could be an X-factor in the race due to his athleticism.

Meanwhile, Finley is what he is at this point: A strong-armed quarterback who lacks mobility and accuracy. He does have the best command of Harsin’s offense, but time will tell if that’s enough to overcome the rest of his weaknesses.

Finley may have the most experience in Bryan Harsin’s offense but that doesn’t necessarily give the offense the best chance at success. His mobility could be a huge detriment to their success given the questions with the offensive line. Not to mention, his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps this battle should come down to the transfer quarterbacks, Ashford and Calzada.

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Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Patrick on Twitter @PatrickConnCFB.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

T.J. Finley, Robby Ashford, and Holden Geriner set to take center stage on ‘A-Day’

Is this T.J. Finley’s job to lose? Can the former LSU transfer separate himself from the pack?

The spring game for the Auburn Tigers is a major starting point for the quarterbacks. Despite the questions surrounding the wide receivers after a mass exodus in the room, the passers are still the biggest talking point as spring ball comes to an end on Saturday.

[autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] has been viewed as QB1 through the process as [autotag]Zach Calzada[/autotag] recovers from shoulder surgery. The Tigers also have former Oregon Ducks dual-threat [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and 2022 signee [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] all in the mix. While no starter has been named up until this point, the former LSU quarterback can take a stranglehold on the starting role.

According to ESPN, they previewed this weekend’s game from a quarterback perspective.

T.J. Finley has a major opportunity

What ESPN Says…

No one is going to win the starting quarterback job on Saturday. It doesn’t matter what TJ Finley, Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner do. Until former Texas A&M starter Zach Calzada has fully recovered from shoulder surgery and enters the race to replace departed three-year starter Bo Nix, we won’t know what direction Bryan Harsin and the coaching staff want to go. But because Calzada has been limited, A-Day represents an opportunity for Finley, Ashford and Geriner to separate from one another. Finley has gotten a bunch of first-team reps this spring and it feels as if he’s in the driver’s seat, but he has something to prove after coming on for an injured Nix late last season and not exactly blowing the doors off the place. He was 0-3 as the starter with only four passing touchdowns and one interception. — Alex Scarborough

Finley finished the 2021 season throwing for 827 yards with a 6-1 touchdown-interception ratio. The Louisiana native completed 54.7% of his passes in nine games. The final three games were as the starter in relief of injured starter Bo Nix, who is now in Eugene, Oregon.

On Saturday, he needs to separate himself from the group with a strong showing.

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Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Patrick on Twitter @PatrickConnCFB.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 9 Robby Ashford

Robby Ashford has an uphill climb to win Auburn’s starting QB job.

Going into the 2022 football season, Auburn Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Bryan Harsin this season.

Our next player to profile is quarterback Robby Ashford. Ashford transferred to The Plains from the Oregon Ducks, but he never saw any game action during his two years in Eugene, Oregon. He’ll hope to impress coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] in the spring to win the starting job.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Hoover, Alabama

Ht: 6’3

Wt: 212 pounds

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star | 12 | 12

Class in 2021: Freshman

Career Stats

Year	G	Att	Yards	YPA	Rec	Yards	Total TDs
2020	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

PFF Rankings (Team Rankings)

Year	Offense	Blocking	Runs	Yards After Contact
2020	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	–	–

Depth Chart Overview

Ashford’s main goal this season will be to play football for the first time in his college career, and there’s a simple way to do that — beat out his competition for Auburn’s starting QB job.

To do that, there are three people standing in his way: [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag], [autotag]Zach Calzada[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag]. Aside from Geriner, who is a freshman, both Finley and Calzada will be tough opponents to defeat with their experience in conjunction with his.

None of us here at Auburn Wire had Ashford winning this job, and with Finley’s game experience and Geriner’s potential, Ashford could face disappointment once again when the order shakes itself out.

Auburn football ranked near bottom of SEC spring power rankings

The ranking cited Auburn’s uncertainties at receiver and the quarterback position.

Power rankings begin to come as teams get ready for the spring every year, and one power ranking has the Auburn Tigers far down the order.

In Athlon Sports’ spring 2022 power rankings, Auburn came in at 12th — higher than only Missouri at 13th and Vanderbilt in last. On the offensive side of the ball, the ranking particularly noted the Tigers’ lack of receiving threats after the team’s wave of transfers during the offseason and their current uncertainty at the quarterback position.

The Tigers have a strong one-two punch at running back with Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter. However, can coach Bryan Harsin get consistent quarterback play out of Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada or another option? More weapons at receiver must be developed.

The concerns are valid. With receiver Kobe Hudson gone and wideout Ja’Varrius Johnson potentially leaving, Auburn desperately needs to find a solution for its lack of firepower before the season begins. New transfer Zach Calzada had a largely mediocre campaign in 2021 with 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 56.1 completion percentage. Calzada, should he even win the job in camp over other Auburn QBs like T.J Finley, will have to put in a stronger performance if Auburn is to succeed this coming season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the ranking is far more optimistic, mentioning that it was one of the bright spots for the Tigers in 2021.

This unit was a strength for Harsin in 2021 by holding teams to 21.8 points a game. There’s a new coordinator (Jeff Schmedding) and standouts Zakoby McClain, Roger McCreary and Smoke Monday have departed. Spring practice is all about transitioning to Schmedding’s scheme, as well as plugging key gaps and developing depth.

Although there are sure to be growing pains with a different coordinator and a loss of players, Bryan Harsin will certainly try and replicate last seasons’ defensive prowess as a key point for his Auburn team.

Auburn quarterback Zach Calzada mentioned among 2022 clutch performers

Can Zach Calzada be a clutch quarterback for an Auburn team that has inexperience on the outside?

A new era will begin this upcoming season for the Auburn Tigers. A new quarterback will be under center on the Plains for the 2022 college football season. The question remains as to who will take hold of the starting role.

We know the top candidates led by returning starter from the last three games, TJ Finley. He is joined by a pair of Power Five transfers in Oregon’s Robby Ashford and Texas A&M’s Zach Calzada. The battle was listed among 247Sports’ most intriguing quarterback battles of the spring.

While many believe that ultimately Calzada will win the job, Bleacher Report recently listed him as a top clutch performer in 2022. He joins Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo as the trio of SEC players to make the list.

What Bleacher Report Says…

Auburn will have a new addition to its quarterback room in 2022 in Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada. In 2021, Calzada finished the year with 2,185 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

But Calzada will be remembered for his impressive performance against then-No. 1 Alabama.

Although TAMU led 24-10 at halftime, this game had a wild finish. With five minutes left in the fourth, Alabama took a 38-31 lead—its first lead since the first quarter. But Calzada responded by putting together a 65-yard touchdown drive that tied the game at 38 with three minutes to go.

Calzada subsequently went into the injury tent after taking a big shot on his touchdown pass to Ainias Smith. Following a Bama three-and-out, Calzada came out of the tent and went back on the field. He drove the Aggies offense down to Alabama’s 30 to set up a game-winning field goal to complete the thrilling upset.

With an inexperienced group at wide receiver, the quarterback play will be monumental for the Tigers’ success in 2022. Calzada lost the starting job to freshman Haynes King but ultimately became the starter after King went down with an injury against the Colorado Buffaloes.

He was hit or miss for most of the season but rose to the occasion against the Crimson Tide. Head coach Bryan Harsin needs him to be more of the quarterback they saw against Auburn’s biggest rivals and less of the quarterback from the rest of the 2021 season.

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Where does Auburn’s QB decision rank among the most difficult?

Who would you pick at QB if the season started today?

When it comes to the 2022 college football season, there is going to be a lot of movement. Especially at the quarterback position.

There has been so much turnover with recruiting and the transfer portal. This could allow for some more parity amongst the teams at the FBS level. Auburn’s Bryan Harsin will be among the head coaches making some difficult roster decisions for the 2022 campaign.

According to this post from 247Sports, the quarterback competition is among the five most difficult decisions in college football.

Harsin will have to decide between one of five quarterbacks on the roster but the likeliness that it will really be between three players. TJ Finley is the lone returning quarterback from last year’s team among the top three. Robby Ashford transferred in from the Oregon Ducks, while Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Zach Calzada decided to take his chances with another SEC West team.

His former team checks in just above Auburn in the rankings, the Aggies have quite the battle themselves. Haynes King was relieved by Calzada following the injury in the game against the Colorado Buffaloes. They also have five-star signee Conner Weigman and former LSU quarterback Max Johnson.

Ashford’s former team makes the list at No. 9 with former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix and Ty Thompson looking to duke it out for the starting job. Among SEC teams, the Florida Gators have the most difficult decisions and Ole Miss joins the list at No. 8.

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We could start to get a clearer picture as spring football is set to open for the Auburn Tigers and Bryan Harsin on Mar. 14. This is one of the roster decisions that I am thankful that I am not making.

Finley is the incumbent starter, as he replaced an injured Nix in the final three games of the season. Calzada has the most starting experience of anyone on the roster and Ashford has tremendous upside as a dual-threat.

Auburn also has two young guns in 2022 signee Holden Geriner and 2021 signee Dematrius Davis.

Could a freshman be the key at quarterback for Auburn?

Maybe the key is the young gun.

When we broke down the quarterback situation for the Auburn Tigers, we had a three-horse race at the top. Zach Calzada (Texas A&M) and Robby Ashford (Oregon) transfered in and are expected to battle former LSU transfer TJ Finley for the starting job. They should have an intriguing battle, to say the least.

All three have something to prove under center. Let’s take an objective view of each. None of the three really gives you a lot of confidence with a relatively young wide receiver corps.

Calzada has the most experience among the trio at the top. He won six for the Aggies in 2021, including the upset win over the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.

In his four losses, he passed for 4.2, 6.8, 5.8 and 6.9 yards per attempt. He didn’t really challenge defenders down the field. Calzada’s season average was 6.7 yards per attempt. He also is prone to turnovers.

Finley is best remembered for the comeback victory over Georgia State. That gave the staff confidence he could get the job when called upon. Finley was the starter over the final three games after the Nix injury. He went 0-3 as a starter with the four overtime loss to Alabama, a loss to South Carolina and then to Houston in the bowl game.

While the team was close in all three games, the offense struggled to score in each. Perhaps a full offseason and fall camp would help Finley’s development. It is just hard to have a lot of confidence in the offense with Finley or Calzada at the helm.

You can file Robby Ashford and Dematrius Davis in the same category. Neither have any playing experience though Ashford has tremendous upside. The negative aspect: Everything is a projection. The former four-star quarterback couldn’t sniff the field in Eugene, but perhaps returning to his home state will help.

The newcomer here is Holden Geriner. The four-star signee led his high school team to a state championship as a junior. In two seasons, Geriner threw for more than 7,100 passing yards and 71 touchdowns in his high school career in Georgia.

As a senior, Geriner threw for 3,377 yards and 36 touchdowns. He isn’t just a passer. He can run when he needs to in RPO or zone-read concepts. Geriner is physical enough to withstand the punishment or fight off would-be tacklers. In the pocket, he can navigate to avoid the rush while keeping his eyes down the field.

When it comes to the quarterback position battle, Geriner should be the dark horse.

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Projected starter Zach Calzada ranks near bottom of the SEC

Zach Calzada isn’t getting rave reviews.

This could be a big year for Zach Calzada. After helping the Aggies to an 8-4 record, he comes to the Auburn Tigers. Perhaps they should call it Quarterback Transfer U. Three of the five on scholarship joined over the past two seasons through the portal.

One wouldn’t envy the decision that has to be made during spring football and fall camp ahead of the 2022 season. Most believe it will be Calzada’s job to lose, but don’t forget T.J. Finley was the starter for the final three games after Bo Nix injured his ankle.

According to Athlon Sports, the former Texas A&M transfer quarterback is among the bottom three passers in the SEC.

What Steven Lassan says about Calzada:

This is a tough quarterback competition to project. Calzada started 10 games, led Texas A&M to an upset of Alabama while throwing for 2,185 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2021. However, he’s not guaranteed the starting role after transferring to the Plains. Former LSU signal-caller T.J. Finley threw for 827 yards and six scores last fall, while freshmen Dematrius Davis and Holden Geriner are also in the mix.

There are plenty of quarterbacks in the mix. Athlon didn’t even mention Oregon Ducks transfer, Robby Ashford. He has tremendous upside; he just never saw the field in his two seasons in Eugene. It will not be an easy quarterback battle, but Calzada has the most experience of anyone on campus. He appeared in three games during his freshman season of 2019 throwing for two touchdowns on 24 passes.

Athlon Sports’ Ranking: No. 12

According to Lassan, only Brady Cook of Missouri and Ken Seals/Mike Wright of Vanderbilt were lower in their early rankings. Calzada finished 6-4 as a starter for the Aggies and led them to the victory over the Colorado Buffaloes after Haynes King went down with an injury.

Can coach Bryan Harsin help Calzada take the next step after showing signs of promise at Texas A&M?

Last season Calzada finished with an NFL passer rating of 82.2 and a 79.6 passing grade from Pro Football Focus. For comparison, last year’s starter Bo Nix had an NFL passer rating of 88.9 and a 76.6 passing grade.

In his biggest game of the year against the Alabama Crimson Tide, Calzada posted a passer rating of 115.7 and passer grade of 86.4. Perhaps Harsin and offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau can get more of that Calzada in 2022.