Auburn football: How can Bryan Harsin save his job in Year 2 with the Tigers?
By John Scimeca
Offense
After three seemingly long years, the Bo Nix era is over at Auburn.
The Pinson (Ala.) product and son of a former Auburn quarterback never quite got in his groove in 2021, though an inconsistent offensive line didn’t help matters. Nix finishes his Auburn career with 7,251 passing yards, 39 passing touchdowns, and 16 interceptions while rushing for 859 yards and 18 scores during his three-year career with the Tigers.
Nix’s confidence and his ability to extend plays could result in some highlight-reel throws, but there were times when he forced the issue too much. He’s widely expected to start for Oregon this season after transferring to the Ducks, who should be in the mix to win the Pac-12.
Who will take the reins over for the Auburn offense? Zach Calzada is expected to assume that role after transferring from Texas A&M.
The sophomore transfer from Sugar Hill, Ga. was solid, if unspectacular for the Aggies in 2021, throwing for 2,185 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions as the squad mostly underwhelmed in its 8-4 finish.
Calzada did have his bright moments for the Aggies, though, in leading the team to its notable upset of Alabama. He completed 21-of-31 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns in engineering the defeat of the Crimson Tide, their only loss last year until the national title game.
Running back Tank Bigsby might be Auburn’s most important returner from last season after rushing for 1,099 yards behind a struggling offensive line. He earns his nickname with tough, interior running and showed his versatility, too, in tallying almost 200 receiving yards for the season.
Tight end John Samuel Shenker is an important returner for the receiving corps. He’s a big target and had 33 catches for 413 yards last year. To help the new quarterback adjust to life as an SEC starter, Shenker must step up in a big way in 2022. The 6-foot-4 senior had a breakout season in 2021 and will hope to build on that this fall.