Auburn QB Barrett Trotter Named Starter: Who Will Be the Back-Up?

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik has declared a stating QB for the 2011 season that begins in 16 days.

Barrett Trotter was named Auburn's starting quarterback Thursday, to replace Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, who decided to forgo his senior season for the NFL. Trotter beat out Clint Moseley and true freshman Kiehl Frazier.

Chizik stated the quarterbacks were told of the decision Thursday afternoon. The team was told in a team meeting soon after.

"Barrett has worked extremely hard to earn the starting quarterback job at Auburn University," Chizik said in a statement. "I'm very proud of him for the leadership and hard work he has shown not only during camp, but also during his three years at Auburn. Barrett has a great opportunity to represent and lead this football team moving forward. Barrett understands the huge responsibility that comes with being the starting quarterback at Auburn, and we are confident in his ability to lead this team.

Chizik continued to explain: "These decisions are extremely tough when dealing with such competitive young men who have a strong desire to excel. Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier worked very hard, and it's been a great competition that will make our young team better. Clint and Kiehl both have a lot of ability and will continue to improve. We look forward to watching their progress as the years go on."

Trotter is a redshirt junior from Briarwood Christian High School, in Birmingham. He had limited play in the fourth quarter of the 2010 SEC championship game.

Frazier arrived on campus in the summer and really seemed to push Trotter and Moseley even though he arrived later for summer workouts.  Frazier was named USA Today's offensive prep player of the year last season after accounting for 64 touchdowns at Shiloh Christian in Springdale, Ark.   

The big question now is, who will be named the back-up QB behind Trotter?  Moseley has worked really hard, and came into fall camp determined to win the starting spot.  One has to wonder how this will affect him as he looks toward the future.  If Frazier has done enough to win the starting job, Moseley may decide to transfer. Some reports had surfaced when Frazier was signed last February that he (Moseley) considered a transfer. However, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn asked him to stay and compete.

My thoughts are Moseley will be named back-up and Frazier will be utilized in situational plays.  Chizik and Gus will need to get him on the field, if he indeed is the future of Auburn football, as many have declared.

Good luck to you, Trotter, and congratulations for earning the starting job.