Auburn Football: Jarrett Stidham officially named 2017 starting QB

After entering fall camp with a quarterback controversy, Auburn football has officially named Jarrett Stidham the starting QB for 2017.

At SEC media days a few weeks ago, Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn admitted he had a small problem at the quarterback position. Although he had landed one of the top transfer quarterbacks in the nation, Malzahn wasn’t sure who his starter would be in 2017.

More: Auburn Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Junior Sean White was a strong candidate since he helped lead the team to a 7-3 record before missing the final two regular season games. He wasn’t going to just give up his starting job to Jarrett Stidham, a Baylor transfer.

The battle has seemingly raged on into the middle of August, but on Monday afternoon, the staff announced that Stidham would be the team’s Week 1 starter.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, though. There were dozens of programs that were vying for Stidham’s services last offseason and the Tigers won out. He was expected to be the starter when he committed to Auburn, but Malzahn respected White enough to give him a shot.

White passed for 1,679 yards and nine touchdowns with a 64 percent completion rate and just three interceptions in 2016. He has plenty of starting experience and knows the system, but Stidham’s ceiling is much higher.

In fact, he appeared in 10 games for Baylor in 2015 before his injury, passing for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He also completed about 69 percent of his passes.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Auburn might have the best starting quarterback in the conference before the season is over and the rest of the SEC should be on high alert. Secondaries will be trembling at the thought of this kid slinging the ball around the yard.