Jan. 5, 2018
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham will return for his junior season after leading the Tigers to an SEC Western Division title in 2017.
"I feel like coming back and being at Auburn is going to be the best thing for me," Stidham said Friday evening.
"I feel like there is a lot of unfinished business for me," he said. "This year, we were really close to being where we wanted to be as a team. I didn't like that taste in my mouth. I want to come back and finish what we started."
Made the decision to stay at Auburn. We have unfinished business and I'm excited for what the 2018 season holds! War Eagle, Auburn Family! pic.twitter.com/JVrpqPl8De
- Jarrett Stidham (@Jarrett_Stidham) January 6, 2018
Stidham reached his decision after an elk hunting excursion in Texas.
"I went on the elk hunt to get away from everything," said Stidham, who completed 66.5 percent of his passes as a sophomore. "It's been a long five months since we started fall camp. I wanted to reflect on everything and figure out what was best for me and my future."
Stidham threw for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, only the second 3,000-yard passing season in Auburn history.
"I've got to raise my level in all areas for the betterment of the team, for the betterment of myself," he said. "And hopefully it feeds off to everybody else, and we can continue to get better and win a lot of football games."
Stidham credited Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey with assisting his development.
"They've been great," he said. "I've learned a lot of football in my time at Auburn. I learned a lot from both of them. Now that I've gotten to be with them for a year and they've been with me for a year and we understand each other really well, I think it's only going to help."
With his performance and personality, Stidham quickly became a fan favorite.
"The Auburn fans, the Auburn family, they're about as good as it can get," Stidham said. "I'm excited to play in front of them and give them everything that I have. It's all about the fans and giving back to them. I'm excited about it. My family is excited about it. We're all in and we're ready to do this thing even bigger next year."
Jarrett Stidham passed for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2017. Photo: Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics" style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywidenew/13046055.jpeg"> Jarrett Stidham passed for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2017. Photo: Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer