JD PicKell: Auburn quarterback needs to lead offense like a pilot

We all watched Tom Cruise play a full game of football in a pair of Levi’s during Top Gun: Maverick this summer. But according to On3’s JD PicKell, Maverick’s cavalier style in the air is not the type of presence the Auburn offense needs in 2022.

Allow him to explain. The On3 analyst took to the On3 YouTube channel recently to hash out Auburn’s quarterback competition as it winds down. PicKell made his pick on who the eventual starter will be, citing that the Tigers need a specific type of quarterback after three years of Bo Nix fireworks.

While Nix was more the Maverick, perhaps Bryan Harsin will move on to a steadier hand to man the wheel this fall.

You can watch PicKell’s breakdown right here or read his comments below.

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JD PicKell on Auburn needing a pilot

“We got to be sharp offensively. We got to be sharp operationally. Got to know how to get in and out of the huddle. We got to get the call, we got to get our guys lined up. You got to be in command. What you’re asking the quarterback to beat Auburn is similar to the pilot of an airplane.

“As an airplane pilot you are tasked with a couple of things. At the most basic level that is a smooth takeoff getting us going the right direction in a smooth landing. We don’t need you to go Top Gun: Maverick Tom Cruise doing loop-de-loops, get us out of a jam flying high and doing all these acrobatics. We’re not asking to be Johnny Manziel. We’re not going to go five-wide, have you run around back there and make a play. You don’t need to be a game breaker but you do need to be a pilot.

“You do need to, like I said, get you lined up. Get all our guys organized. Get the playing — you have to be able to effectively move this offense and make good decisions kind of get us to the right place. Similar to an airplane pilot and so that’s why I think right now the lean is TJ Finley. Because, if you remember correctly, he is the most experienced guy in this group.”