Auburn Football: 3 biggest disappointments from 2019 season
By Taylor Jones
2. The quarterback battle
What happens when you have two of the best dual-threat quarterback recruits on your roster? You let them battle it out.
Joey Gatewood and Bo Nix were both highly sought-after in high school, and both ended up on The Plains. Gatewood drew comparisons to another Auburn quarterback in Cam Newton, while Nix is an Auburn legacy who has always wanted to play quarterback for the Tigers just like his dad, Pat, did in the nineties. Both had shots at the position, with Nix getting the edge.
Nix started every game for Auburn, with Gatewood entering in seven of the eight games he played in. Nix had better games than others, showing a few signs of struggle.
Including the LSU game in late October.
Nix was given the task of starting as a true freshman on the road at Death Valley, which was a redemption shot after throwing three interceptions in the Swamp three weeks prior. After having a slow start, it was expected that Gatewood would get a drive or two to see if he could be the “shot in the arm” that Auburn needed.
He didn’t.
That turned out to be the final straw for Gatewood, as he announced his intent to enter the transfer portal the following week. Leaving Auburn with only one scholarship quarterback and two walk-ons. The quarterback position took a huge hit in the depth chart, and it could have been avoided. Just another “what if” about this Auburn team.