JD PicKell makes prediction on TJ Finley's future at Auburn
TJ Finley has had an up-and-down career over his two seasons since arriving at Auburn. Even so, JD PicKell says the Tigers, and specifically Hugh Freeze, have probably seen enough of, as well as the last of, Finely down on The Plains.
PicKell broke down Auburn’s quarterback room in a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’. When it came to Finley, he says his sample size at his second school is probably enough for the staff to already make a decision on where he falls on their depth chart next season. With that in mind, PicKell also believes that will eventually spell the end of Finley’s time with the Tigers.
“TJ Finley. 12 touchdowns, 10 interceptions in his career. Was the starter last year out of camp. And, TJ Finley, (has) a lot of ability. Big arm, good athlete. But there’s a sample size there. And when people show you who they are? When people tell you who they are? You gotta believe them,” PicKell said. “TJ Finley has shown you who he is at Auburn, he has shown you what he can do at Auburn. I don’t know that we need to keep revisiting this. That sounds a little bit harsh or probably is a little bit harsh. I’m not here to dunk on TJ Finley but if you talk about success in 2023? I think you likely see him transferring out after the spring.”
“That’s just my feel on it. I would love to be wrong. I pull for TJ Finley (because) I think he has gotten a lot of criticism that’s not warranted. But, still, that production, to me, is not a small sample size. It’s a reasonably large sample size at Auburn,” said PicKell as he wrapped up. “I think Robby Ashford is who you look to as QB1 through spring going forward. If TJ Finley can push him? Great. But the feel around Auburn is that TJ Finley will eventually jump in the portal post-spring.”
After starting his career at LSU, Finley has completed 58.5% of his passes for seven touchdowns and five interceptions in his two years at Auburn. However, 2022 was a significant step back as, although his completion percentage shot up, he threw just one touchdown and four interceptions in only a handful of appearances.
The program then looked to Ashford to take over. Even so, Finley then had several random issues throughout the rest of the season between injuries, social media posts, and not traveling with the team followed by not being on the depth chart the following week.
It’s up to Freeze to decide who will be his first QB1 in his return to the SEC. Based on PicKell’s thoughts, though, it likely won’t be Finley based on his resume or the fact that he may elect to transfer out altogether.