Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns says none of his coaches have told him what they expect from him in today’s scrimmage.
That might be because no one needs to tell Burns what’s at stake.
The sophomore knows today’s session is his best opportunity yet to stake an early claim to AU’s starting quarterback job. He doesn’t need to be reminded.
With junior Chris Todd sidelined indefinitely by a sore shoulder, Burns will be the most experienced quarterback on the Jordan-Hare Stadium field today.
A strong performance today will give him an early lead in the four-man race to replace three-year starter Brandon Cox.
“I think I know what a good scrimmage for me is as well as the coaches do,” Burns said.
“I’m not expecting anything low of myself. I’m going to come out and try to be good.”
Burns flashed his talents last season, when he played in 10 games and scored a combined five rushing and passing touchdowns.
After Burns ran for a touchdown and threw for another in AU’s Chick-fil-A Bowl win against Clemson, head coach Tommy Tuberville announced he’d enter spring practice as the starter.
But offensive coordinator Tony Franklin had a simple message for Burns: To claim the job, he would have to improve as a passer.
As a freshman, Burns made plays mostly with his feet, though he was primarily a passer in high school. Burns completed 10 of his 26 passes last season.
To succeed in Franklin’s spread offense, Burns had to be far more effective than that.
“He’s got to get more efficient throwing the football,” Franklin said earlier this month. “If he does that, he’ll have a great chance to win for us. He’s just got to get better at it.”
Today’s scrimmage — which begins at 10 a.m. today and will be open to the public — will be the best opportunity yet for Burns to prove he’s gotten the message.
But he isn’t feeling any pressure.
“I’ll just come out and take it like any other practice: Just come out and play hard,” he said. “You can’t look at it as a scrimmage.
“You’ve got to look at it as, ‘I’m going to come out here and work hard and try to get better.’”
With Todd sidelined, Burns will compete with fellow sophomore Neil Caudle and true freshman DeRon Furr in today’s scrimmage. While the Tigers’ four-man quarterback race has stayed friendly so far, Burns knows there can be only one winner.
“Everybody’s friends, but we know there can only be one that plays,” he said. “The quarterback spot is one of the hardest spots in college, or on any level. There can only be one guy.
“We’re all pulling for each other, but at the same time we’re competing.”
Today is just the next step. There will be many more.
And Burns will be ready.
cmickle@oanow.com | 737-2561
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