AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham announced Tuesday that he will leave school early and declare for the 2019 NFL draft.
"Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for the opportunity to play college football at Auburn University," Stidham said. "Thank you to all of my family, friends, coaches, and support staff for always believing in me. Thank you to my teammates who I have grown so close to and have made countless memories with. I will cherish the relationships with you guys forever. Also, a special thank you to the Auburn Family. You are the best fans in the country.
"With that being said, I have decided to enter the 2019 NFL Draft. I love Auburn and am a proud alumni. War Eagle, forever."
Thankful. pic.twitter.com/FgmTxyFUAh
— Jarrett Stidham (@Jarrett_Stidham) December 4, 2018
Stidham has played the last two seasons at Auburn after transferring in from Baylor. In that span, he's started all 26 games and ranks among the school's all-time passing leaders with 455 completions (4th), 5,579 yards (6th) and 31 touchdowns (T-7th). He and wide receiver Ryan Davis became the most productive pass tandem in program history this season with 149 completions between them.
The junior signal caller plans to make it 27 starts at Auburn as he intends to play in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl against Purdue on Dec. 28.
"Jarrett has been a terrific player for us the last two years, leading us to an SEC West title and becoming one of the most prolific passers in Auburn history," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. "He has tremendous ability and a bright future ahead of him. I look forward to seeing Jarrett perform one more time in an Auburn uniform and can't wait to see him playing in the NFL next year and for years to come."
In 2017, Stidham earned SEC Newcomer of the Year honors after he helped Auburn take down No. 1 Georgia and No. 1 Alabama in the month of November and clinch the SEC West title. He was later named second-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and the Associated Press and was a finalist for the Manning Award.
This past year, Stidham was instrumental in Auburn's win over Washington to open the season, and he also threw the go-ahead touchdown pass in a come-from-behind victory over Texas A&M at home. In his two years on the Plains, he finished 12-2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Stidham graduated from Auburn last May and received his bachelor's degree from the College of Liberal Arts. He's currently pursuing a second degree in interdepartmental studies and plans to get married next year.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @greg_ostendorf