Auburn announces change at starting quarterback

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn announced Tuesday a change at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Sean White will start Saturday against Mississippi State.

He is replacing Jeremy Johnson, who struggled through the first three games.

Johnson completed just 59.7 percent of his passes (43-of-72) while racking up six interceptions.

“Any time you change a quarterback, it isn’t an easy decision,” Malzahn said in a press conference Tuesday. “Today is when (offensive coordinator) Coach (Rhett) Lashlee and I really made the decision. We feel like that is the best for the offense right now. Sean White is a guy that has gotten a lot of reps.

“He has responded very well in practices and in scrimmages. We feel like he needs a shot right now, and we have a lot of confidence in him. He is our starting quarterback going into this game; we are going to get behind him, and I know his teammates will also. He is a talented young guy and we are excited to see what he can do.”

On White’s bio on the Auburn website, Lashlee called the quarterback “the most accurate passer” he’s seen.

“Sean is a guy that we have felt good about for a long time,” Malzahn said. “He has earned that right and that is what’s best for the offense going into Mississippi State. We are looking forward to watching him play.”

White (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) played at University Nova South in Boca Raton, Fla.

He was redshirted last season.

In his senior year in high school , White passed for 2,679 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was rivals.com’s No. 4 QB coming out of high school.

Malzahn said Johnson would be ready if called upon.

“Jeremy is a competitor, but he is a team guy, too, so he will support Sean,” Malzahn said. “He will still get reps in practice, and he will be ready if he is called upon.”

Malzahn said the situation was unique.

“It is a little surprising from a coach’s standpoint,” Malzahn said. “You have to do what you feel is best for your team and your offense each week. We have confidence and I am looking forward to seeing Sean. He is a guy that can flat out throw it and he can run it, too. He has the air of confidence that quarterbacks have.”

The Tigers, who began the season with national championship aspirations, were routed 45-21 at Tiger Stadium. LSU drove for 486 total yards of offense to Auburn’s 260. LSU ran for 411 yards as a team, and Leonard Fournette almost had more yardage individually than the entire Auburn offense. Fournette went 71 yards on the first play of the game through the middle of Auburn’s defensive line.

Malzahn would only commit to White being the start for the Mississippi State game.

“Sean’s our starter for this game. I’ll say this, from a coach’s standpoint and a player’s standpoint, you take one game at a time. That’s the way we’re doing it, and we’re thinking about nothing but Mississippi State,” Malzahn said. “We’re putting the first three games in the rearview mirror and it’s over. All we’re thinking about is Mississippi State and that’s the way we’re going to operate.

“Looking back to 2013, there are some similarities. There were some similarities where we didn’t play great early. In 2013, we went to LSU and got beat pretty good, but we kind of knew what we had moving forward, and we got better. Our team rolled their sleeves up and our leaders stepped up, and that’s what needs to happen right now. This team can do that, and that’s what I expect them to do. The first three games, we kind of figured out some things offensively and defensively. We’ve got to play moving forward and we’re playing a good Mississippi State team at home. We’re looking forward to it. I feel good about the spot we’re in, but we need to respond.”

Jonathan Wallace could also see time at QB.

“Jonathan Wallace could get some reps at quarterback,” Malzahn said. “Jason Smith could also. Both of those guys have gotten some reps throughout fall camp and throughout the first couple games. Both of those guys are also receivers, and both of them are getting better. Both of them will get some reps.

“I don’t really want to say exactly wildcat or regular offense. I’m probably saying too much by saying both of them are getting reps at quarterback. It could be wildcat.”

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