Gus Malzahn still hasn’t decided if Jarrett Stidham will play in Auburn’s A-Day Game

AUBURN, Ala. — While Jarrett Stidham is throwing again for Auburn football, it sounds like he’s still a ways off from being ready to go for the annual A-Day Game next month.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday evening that it’s unclear whether his starting quarterback will participate in the spring game on April 7.

“We’ll see where he’s at,” Malzahn said. “He did throw with the receivers today in some 1-on-1 stuff. We’ll go 7-on-7 on Tuesday, I know he’ll do that. He’ll do some team. We’ll just see where he’s at.”

Stidham underwent offseason surgery on his left, non-throwing shoulder and was limited before the Tigers went on spring break.

On Thursday, Stidham was on the field, but he wasn’t wearing full pads. During Auburn’s media viewing window, all quarterback drills featured sophomore Malik Willis and freshman Joey Gatewood.

MORE: Auburn football’s Eli Stove expected to return from ACL injury this fall

Stidham stood behind Willis and Gatewood during Auburn’s “pace drill,” when it runs several no-huddle plays in a simulated 11-on-11 setting.

“I think it’s been really good for him to sit back in the big picture and see things from a little bit different standpoint,” Malzahn said. “I know he’s been really good for our young quarterbacks, really trying to help them and trying to coach them up on the details and everything that goes with that. But I know he’s antsy. He’s ready to get back out there.”

Stidham was the second 3,000-yard passer in Auburn football history when he hit that mark last season, his first with the program. Willis and Gatewood are expected to back him up — in that order — this fall.

The two underclassmen will take all the reps again Saturday in Auburn’s first scrimmage of spring practice. Next week, the Tigers will increase Stidham’s workload and get closer to a decision.

“We’ll get them back out there with the 7-on-7 with the offense, I know it’ll be a really good thing for him,” Malzahn said. “At the same time, I think I said this earlier, he’s a veteran guy, and it was good to get those young guys reps — especially Malik going with the ones a lot. And it’s good for Joey to get more reps that he normally would, too.”