Auburn welcomes Jarrett Stidham, Malcolm Askew, K.J. Britt

Auburn welcomes Jarrett Stidham, Malcolm Askew, K.J. BrittAuburn welcomes Jarrett Stidham, Malcolm Askew, K.J. Britt

Dec. 20, 2016

By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. -- They can't play in the Sugar Bowl, but Gus Malzahn got a sneak preview of three of his early enrollees during their first Auburn football practice Tuesday.

Malzahn was happy to welcome transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham, defensive back Malcolm Askew and linebacker K.J. Britt to the Auburn fold as the Tigers worked toward their Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl game against Oklahoma.

"I think more than anything it gives them an idea of what a practice routine looks like," Malzahn said. "There's nothing like getting out there with your teammates in a practice-like situation. It will give them more of a foundation. Once spring gets here it won't just be a shock to their system the way practice is set up, the tempo."

Stidham comes from McLarren Community College as the top junior college player in the country, though he last played at Baylor in 2015. Nether he, Askew nor Britt are eligible to play in bowl game, or even practice in New Orleans, but will practice in Auburn through Thursday before the Tigers break for Christmas.

Malzahn also gave an encouraging report on one is his veterans, saying quarterback Sean White is overcoming his shoulder injury and "we're expecting him to be 100 percent, or really close to it, by the time we play."

Malzahn said Stidham, Britt and Askew didn't do much in practice. "We're in the middle of preparing for Oklahoma." So, they mostly did individual work. Still, Malzahn said, "their teammates are very excited to have them a part of our family.

"K.J. Britt is a player we think has a chance to be an outstanding linebacker. He's got a great family. Great person. Malcolm Askew has a chance to be a very good defensive back. Same thing, great person, great family. He really fits in with us."

Britt is a 6-foot, 232 linebacker from Oxford High School who had 124 tackles, including 17 tackles for a loss, this season. Askew is a 5-11, 183 defensive back who put up his stats playing quarterback at McAdory High School in McCalla. He had 11 tackles and interception. Both are ranked among the Top 10 players in Alabama.


Stidham passed for 6,516 yards and 80 career touchdowns as a Texas high school quarterback before signing with Baylor. He completed 75-of-109 passes for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2015, then went to McLarren Community College in Waco, but didn't play.

Stidham, Malzahn said, "made the comment that it's good to be back on the practice field. He's been out for a long time. He's got real good zip on the ball.

"It's good to have those guys out there."

And it was good to see Sean White throw the ball again. He didn't play in Auburn's last two games because of a shoulder injury.

"We've thrown a lot, and he's been able to handle the volume," Malzahn said. " I think that's really good, because there was a period of time he didn't throw for about a month but just sporadically. So getting his arm back in shape has been really good. I know it's been good for him and his timing and really our overall offense. He threw the ball well again today, so his arm is starting to get in shape."

Overall, Malzahn said, "we had a very good, spirited practice today. Our guys, the whole bowl practice, have come with great energy, great focus. We transitioned really fully on Oklahoma about three practices ago. Our guys, offensively and defensively, have done a super job."

Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine