In announcing Wednesday that Cam Newton is Auburn’s starting quarterback -- for now -- head coach Gene Chizik‘s statement on the move didn’t offer much insight as to what went into the decision.
Thursday morning, Chizik went into greater details to the thought process behind naming the JUCO transfer his starter. And it’s the same intangible that led him to signing with SEC power Florida coming out of high school -- upside.
As well as another intangible that wasn’t visible during his time at Gainesville, especially off the field -- leadership.
Speaking “informally” to reporters this morning, Chizik gushed in praising what Newton has brought to the football program.
“We had to take everything into account,” Chizik said according to the Birmingham News. “He’s been in the offense less time than anyone we’ve got...We thought his upside is huge.
“We felt like he really has a great intangible, the leadership skills he brings to the table. He’s very confident, but not too confident. His presence is known and felt by the other players when he’s in there.
“He manages the offense. He was very good protecting the football this spring. His completion percentages were very high in scrimmages. He brings an element to the table in terms of escapability, of running game, that we feel can create problems for defense. All of those things mixed together were the things that we saw.”
The second-year coach also stressed that there is a lot of time between now and the start of the regular season, and that the Neil Caudle, Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley troika could still be in the starting mix if they raise their level of play and Newton were to slip or struggle.
“We made it very clear to our team that there’s a long time before September and the journey is still out there,” Chizik said. “But at this point in time, we just felt it was the best decision.”
And, come the regular-season opener -- barring the unexpected -- it will still be the best decision and Newton will be under center at Jordan-Hare against Arkansas State.
