Depth chart analysis: Quarterback
This is the first of a 24-part series that will run up to SEC Media Days detailing Auburn's depth chart heading into the 2014 season. This comes well after the Tigers concluded their 15 spring practices and includes insight from nearly every position coach on the staff.
AUBURN -- For the first time in Gus Malzahn's college coaching career, he'll have a returning starting quarterback.
Nick Marshall was a huge part of Auburn's success in 2013 and his play in the fall will determine if the Tigers can get back to the national championship game.
The Pineview, Georgia native is the leading returning passer in the SEC, with 1,976 yards and 14 touchdowns and 1,068 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
His four touchdowns during A-Day were a reflection of an improved pocket presence.
Jeremy Johnson is more than formidable backup and could probably start for most teams.
The Two-Deep
Nick Marshall (6-foot-1, 210 pounds, senior)
Jeremy Johnson (6-foot-5, 223 pounds, sophomore)
Gus Malzahn's View
"Nick feels a lot more comfortable. Even in the spring game, the casual eye could see, he's a lot more relaxed, he's throwing on the bounce, his eyes are in the right place with his progression. To me, with a lot of the receivers, other than (D'haquille) Williams is the new guy, so he should have a good grasp on that. And then the running backs , he's fairly familiar with those. He's very comfortable. We've got two guys -- Jeremy Johnson, we think, could start for a lot of other teams, too -- so the quarterback position is in very good shape."
Starter
Nick Marshall is ready to lead a "real scary" offense in 2014 after taking Auburn to the BCS National Championship game in his first season.
Time spent with his receiving corps before spring practice helped Marshall form a better bond with his most targets and it showed on A-Day. Marshall displayed better footwork and poise as he threw for 236 yards and four TDs.
He hit his completion percentage target for spring practice and the coaching staff believes he'll be able to raise his 59.4 percent rate from last season.
The hope for the fall is that Marshall will be like Ryan Aplin and spend time with Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee in helping to devise the weekly game plans.
Backup
Jeremy Johnson got his feet wet as a true freshman, with a start against lowly Western Carolina and significant time against Florida Atlantic.
There will be debate for some time as to whether or not burning Johnson's redshirt was necessary, but it's done and the Montgomery native is a sophomore come the fall.
Johnson worked on the zone read during spring practice and that's going to be very important. Should he ever need to come in for Marshall during a game, the offense can't throw out such a big part of its success.
He was throwing "100 mph fastballs" during practice, so Johnson's arm is still his most valuable weapon.
Next Wave
Jonathan Wallace (6-foot-2, 207 pounds, junior) went from an unlikely but potential starter heading into fall camp last year, to all but forgotten.
His role as a holder on special teams may even be up for grabs.
Summer Arrivals
Sean White (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) was the lone quarterback signee in the last recruiting class. With three players ahead of him, White should be considered a likely redshirt candidate.
Quotable
"It was (Marshall's) first spring but it was our second spring and he had already had a year in the system, so it was kind of uncharted territory for me and coach to have a returning starter go through spring - from that standpoint there's no one to compare him to. But for guys from the past, it was there, it was up there. In fairness to the other guys, he had a whole season they didn't have and it was their first exposure. I thought he was really good, I really do. I really thought all the quarterbacks ... Jonathan Wallace got better. He made throws at times in spring I didn't know he could make, so he got better. Jeremy got better and it was good for Jeremy to get 15 more practices, too." – Rhett Lashlee