Exactly one year ago today, Gene Chizik had the following to say about Auburn’s four-man competition at quarterback.
“After thoroughly evaluating our quarterbacks during spring practice and over the last week, Cam has emerged as our post-spring No. 1 quarterback,” Chizik said April 28 in a statement regarding the culmination of a spring-long battle between Cam Newton, Neil Caudle, Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley for the starting job.
“Obviously, he will have a lot of work to do over the summer and during two-a-days to continue along this path. We fully expect our other quarterbacks to continue to work hard and compete with Cam during the off-season and into fall camp.”
12 months... one historically epic late-season controversy... a Heisman Trophy... a national championship later, Cam Newton is now the No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft.
Regardless of what side of the fence you fall on about the sketchy off-field path taken, that is one hell of an amazing 365 days.