Trotter, Moseley, Chizik discuss Auburn's QB decision

By Charles Bennett
AUBURN – Cam Newton’s successor as Auburn’s starting quarterback has been chosen.

It’s redshirt junior Barrett Trotter, who edged out redshirt sophomore Clint Moseley and true freshman Kiehl Frazier in a decision the Tigers elected to announce in a 3:37 p.m. Thursday press release.

Chizik, Trotter and Moseley talked with the media after Thursday evening’s practice.

“As you know, we named a starting quarterback today and it’s Barrett Trotter,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “That’s a tough situation because you’ve got some guys who have worked so hard. There was quite frankly some disappointment in there as you would expect. It’s exactly what you’d expect from guys who compete so hard and want to be great at what they do. But as we really evaluated the whole process and evaluated everything we named Barrett the starter because we feel like that gives us the best chance to win. It’s a great opportunity for him, to write his own story. Again, we feel very confident in his ability to keep pour standards extremely high and win.”

Chizik said Moseley would serve as the Tigers’ backup, followed by Frazier.

“We brought each guy in and told them what our plan was,” Chizik said. “Moseley is going to be the backup. Again, it was just a tight competition. There were so many good things that both of them did. It was that tight. We really had to examine everything and evaluate all the ingredients that come down to being a quarterback in this league. We did that, and we feel really good with our decision.”

Trotter, a 6-2, 206-pound junior from Birmingham, has paid his dues. He’ll make his
first career start on Sept. 3 against Utah State with his degree already in hand.

He’s also the most experienced of Auburn’s quarterbacks, even though that experience is extremely limited. He appeared in six games last season in a reserve role, completing 6-of-9 passes for 64 yards and rushing for 68 yards and one touchdown on five carries.

Trotter said he felt relief at being named the starter after a battle that began in the spring.

He and Moseley exited the spring rated even. Frazier made it a three-way battle when he joined the team for fall practice.

“I’m definitely very excited to be the starter,” Trotter said. “It comes with a lot of responsibility, which is another role I have to take on now. I’m prepared to do that. I’m glad it’s all over. I’m glad it’s behind me and I can get ready for the season. Now my mindset has got to change from trying to win the job, to really leading this team and getting in the end zone every time we get the ball.”
The day was bittersweet for Trotter. He and Moseley are best friends.

(Read the rest of the story in Friday's Anniston Star)