Breaking News: Auburn Tigers Added Another Talented Quarterback from the Transfer Portal
In Hugh Freeze’s inaugural year as head coach, the Auburn Tigers concluded the season with a 6-7 record. The team faced challenges, particularly in their passing offense, which hindered their overall performance. They found themselves positioned at 121st in passing yards per game, managing only 162.2 yards on average.
Following their 13-31 defeat to Maryland in the Music City Bowl, Hugh Freeze spoke about the team’s quarterback situation and shared his perspective on how they plan to address it moving forward.
Hugh Freeze stated, “The quarterback position is wide open. I’m consistently evaluating players, staff, everything. If it becomes evident that my evaluations have been incorrect, we need to be willing to change course and reassess to improve. The quarterback situation will be particularly intriguing during spring practice.”
To bolster their quarterback position, the Tigers made a strategic move by acquiring the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year from the transfer portal.
The Auburn Tigers added an elite QB from the transfer portal.
He started his collegiate career at USF.
Jordan McCloud committed to USF as a three-star recruit for the 2018 season. McCloud redshirted in 2018.
McCloud appeared in every game and started ten in 2019. He completed 124 out of 224 pass attempts for 1,429 yards and threw 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
McCloud appeared in eight games and started seven in 2020. He completed 120 out of 194 pass attempts for 1,341 yards and threw nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
McCloud entered the transfer portal after the conclusion of the 2020 season.
He transferred to Arizona.
Jordan McCloud made a transfer to Arizona for the 2021 season, where he featured in three games and started two. During this time, he completed 48 out of 73 pass attempts, amassing 481 yards. However, he faced challenges, throwing two touchdowns and five interceptions. Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end due to a knee and ankle injury, necessitating surgery.
On October 8, 2022, McCloud announced that he had parted ways with the team and entered the transfer portal.
He transferred to James Madison.
In 2023, Jordan McCloud made a transfer to James Madison, where he played a pivotal role in leading the team to an impressive 11-2 record. During this successful campaign, McCloud showcased his skills by completing 281 out of 412 pass attempts for a total of 3,657 yards. He demonstrated remarkable accuracy, throwing 35 touchdowns while keeping interceptions to a minimum with just ten.
McCloud’s outstanding performance earned him well-deserved recognition, as he was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team and also received the prestigious title of Sun Belt Player of the Year. His contributions significantly contributed to James Madison’s success during the season.
There will be a QB competition this spring.
Determining whether Jordan McCloud has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the SEC (Southeastern Conference) will depend on various factors, including his skill set, performance in practices and scrimmages, adaptability to the team’s offensive system, and overall consistency. SEC football is known for its high level of competition, so quarterbacks need to demonstrate a strong arm, accuracy, decision-making skills, and the ability to handle the pressure of playing against top-tier defenses.
McCloud’s previous experience at James Madison, where he earned accolades like being named Sun Belt Player of the Year, indicates he has the potential to succeed. However, competition within the SEC is intense, and his success will also hinge on how well he adjusts to the specific demands of Auburn’s offensive scheme.
Ultimately, McCloud’s capacity to secure the starting quarterback position for the Auburn Tigers will be determined by his performance in practice, his understanding of the coaching staff’s expectations, and how well he competes against other talented quarterbacks like Payton Thorne, Holden Geriner, and Walker White. The coaching staff will likely assess all these factors before making a decision on the starting quarterback for the team.