April 5, 2018
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham will display his passing talents in a 7-on-7 period before Saturday's A-Day game.
"We'll start out with a 10-minute 7-on-7," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday. "Jarrett Stidham will be a part of that. He will not be a part of the actual scrimmage, and then we'll go ahead and start our scrimmage."
Stidham, recovering from offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, participated in most of Auburn's spring practices, in 7-on-7 and team vs. scout periods.
"His command when he's out there just feels different, which it should. He's a veteran guy," Malzahn said. "He's like a coach on the field now. Last year, he was still learning the offense, and learning [offensive coordinator] Chip [Lindsey] and Chip was learning him. It just feels different. He's got a very good grip on our offense and what we need to accomplish this summer too."
Malik Willis and freshman Joey Gatewood will quarterback the Tigers during the A-Day game.
"Both of those young quarterbacks, there's nothing like getting out there and running the offense, especially when you get a chance to get out there with the ones," Malzahn said. "Developing quality depth has really been good. Overall, I think it's a very successful spring up to this point."
Malzahn also announced that Tucker Brown and Phelps Gambilll will play center Saturday after an injury to Kaleb Kim in practice last week. Devan Barrett will play running back and receiver on A-Day.
"Really looking forward to our guys getting out there and doing their thing in front of our crowd," Malzahn said. "I'm looking, big picture, for execution, our guys to play extremely hard and play good clean Auburn football."
Auburn's first-team offense will compete against the No. 2 defense, with the first-team defense lining up against the No. 2 offense.
"Every spring there has been somebody step up and make some plays that maybe they hadn't made up to this point," Malzahn said. "There's nothing better than evaluating your players, not only in a scrimmage, but even in front of your crowd. There's just something to being out there in front of the crowd. Some guys seize the moment."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer