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TJ Finley addresses Bo Nix decision to transfer, how it impacts him moving forward

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/17/21NickSchultz_7
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When Bo Nix went down with a broken ankle toward the end of Auburn’s season, TJ Finley was thrown into the starting quarterback role. He now has to gear up to take the role next season — a year earlier than expected.

Tigers quarterback Bo Nix entered the transfer portal last week, speeding up Finley’s timeline for becoming Auburn’s next QB1. He opened up about his reaction to Nix’s decision to transfer and his relationship with his now-former teammate.

“I was kind of surprised,” Finley said, via Justin Ferguson of the Auburn Observer. “Bo is the kinda guy to stick things out. When I got here, I can tell Bo is a hard worker, Bo is a great leader and things of that nature. So that decision had to be a tough one for him and I wish him the best. But everyone has their own path that God put them on and he’s just doing what he has to do to be the man god wants him to be, and I applaud him for that.”

Finley also addressed the impact Nix’s move to the transfer portal has on him going forward. After all, he’s now being viewed as Auburn’s starting quarterback next season.

But if you ask him, it’s not as much of an impact as you might think.

“I don’t think it affects me at all,” Finley said. “I think my preparation for the game, my work ethic, stays the same no matter whether I was the backup, the No. 3 guy or the starter. I’m going to continue to be who I am in God. I’m going to continue to be who I am for this team, which is a vocal leader and a guy that leads by actions. And I think the guys feel that, things of that nature. So nothing changes for me as far as I act, how I go about approaching things.

“I’ve been the same guy since I got here. But the expectation does increase now that I’m the guy for right now, and things of that nature. So like you said, it’s a year ahead of time, but God has a plan for everybody, and I’m just walking my own path. And hopefully I get to where I want to get to.”

Auburn went 6-6 this season with Nix and Finley under center, putting the Tigers in a bowl game. They’re gearing up for the Birmingham Bowl against Houston on Dec. 28.