Redshirt freshman Sean White named Auburn's starting quarterback
Less than a month ago, Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson was a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite. Less than two weeks ago, following an ugly win over FCS Jacksonville State, Johnson was backed by his coach, Gus Malzahn, despite ongoing turnover issues.
On Saturday, Johnson will find himself on the sidelines as the Tigers' backup quarterback.
Malzahn announced that Sean White, a redshirt freshman who has yet to take a snap in a college game, will start behind center for Auburn against SEC West opponent Mississippi State.
"Any time you change quarterbacks, it's not an easy decision. I feel like (White) needs a shot right now," Malzahn told reporters on Tuesday. "He's our starting quarterback going into this game. We'll get behind him and I know his teammates will also. He's a talented young guy. We're excited to see what he can do."
Johnson quickly fell out favor following two close wins against 0-3 Louisville and Jacksonville State and a lopsided loss at the hands of Leonard Fournette and LSU. The 6-foot-5 junior is completing just 59.7 percent of his passes -- many coming via short routes and screens, as he's averaging just 6.6 yards per attempt -- and he's thrown six interceptions through the first three games.
In the loss against LSU, arguably his best game of the season, he cut down on his turnovers but totaled just 141 total yards in Malzahn's typically high-octane attack. The Tigers currently ranked 88th nationally in scoring and 40th in offensive efficiency.
White ranked as one of the top quarterback recruits in the 2014 class, winning MVP honors at both the Under-Armour All-American Game and Elite 11 camp.
