After adding Jarrett Stidham earlier this month, Auburn went out and further enhanced the depth at the quarterback position.
3-star athlete Malik Willis committed to Auburn on Friday. He had been set to attend Virginia Tech for the past few months. However, Auburn promised Willis the opportunity to play quarterback. He was likely to start as a defensive back in Blacksburg. As he told Rivals.com, there were a few reasons for the switch:
“It was important that I got a shot at least because I feel like I can play quarterback at the next level. I feel like their run-pass option offense is the same as Roswell’s and we run a lot of the same plays. That’s what Coach Lashlee likes about my game, he felt my talents fit what they needed.
Everything at Auburn was just more in line with what I’m looking for. I had to do what’s right for me and my family and this is closer for them and it gives me a chance to play the position I love.”
The 6-foot-2, 188-pound athlete has long competed on Cam Newton’s 7-on-7 all-star team. The former Auburn Heisman Trophy winner was advocating greatly for Willis to get an offer.
“Coach Malzahn told me he talked to Cam and Cam said nothing but good things about me. Coach said he was fired up already after watching me play but after what Cam told him about me being a leader and being the best athlete on the field, that made coach feel even better about offering me and having me as their guy.”
Willis offers Auburn more depth at the signal-caller position. If Willis doesn’t develop well enough to play quarterback at the highest level, the Tigers know he can still offer his services as an athlete at multiple other positions. This sort of positional versatility surely is appealing.
