The Birmingham News and al.com are reporting tonight that Chris Todd has been named Auburn's starting quarterback for the season opener against Louisiana Tech. In another shocking piece of news, last year's part-time starter, Kodi Burns has been moved to wide receiver. Here's the story from al.com....
Chris Todd will take aim as Auburn's starting quarterback
Chris Todd was named Auburn's starting quarterback Thursday night in the comeback story of fall practice. One of his chief rivals, Kodi Burns, was moved to wide receiver.
``It was a tough, tough day for everybody. They handled it as true pros,'' said coach Gene Chizik.
Chizik said he was proud of how Burns handled the move.
``Kodi is a very talented young man and he's an Auburn man. He's very unselfish. We feel like Kodi can help our football team somewhere on this offense,'' Chizik said.
Todd, who signed with Auburn out of junior college before last season, was troubled by his passing shoulder last year. He won three of the five games he started and finished the year completing 86 of 156 passes for 903 yards and five touchdowns and six interceptions. Though he didn't throw in the spring, Todd was on the field learning Gus Malzahn's new offense.
Todd didn't throw during spring workouts after shoulder surgery in December following an uneven 2008 season. But he made up for lost ground in the nine days of fall work, according to coach Gene Chizik, by winning the job over Burns, Neil Caudle and Tyrik Rollison.
Chizik said he has not determined who is the No. 2 quarterback.
Todd began his college career at Texas Tech, but after losing the starting job, transferred to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He played there one year before signing with Auburn. He won three games as an Auburn starter last season. Burns won two.
Todd arrived at Auburn with the sore shoulder he hurt at Hutchinson and his passing reflected it. His passing improved this fall. He's a senior.
Burns started the seven other games last season, completing 94-of-179 passes for 1,050 yards and two touchdowns and seven interceptions. Burns and Caudle were the primary quarterbacks during spring practice.