TJ Finley was not the people's choice QB1 for Auburn football. You think Bryan Harsin cares?

AUBURN — There was an edge in Bryan Harsin's voice.

It was the same edge he revealed at SEC Media Days when he called out everybody who didn't think he would still be Auburn's football coach.

"People improve," Harsin said Monday. "And that does include quarterbacks at Auburn."

What a novel concept. He was discussing T.J. Finley, Auburn's newly named 2022 starting quarterback, and the offseason improvements that allowed Finley to fend off two Power Five transfers in the QB competition despite an 0-3 record as the starter last season.

Finley began as an LSU backup who ended up starting five games as a true freshman. Then he transferred to Auburn and replaced an injured Bo Nix last November. This will be the third consecutive year Finley starts in the SEC, but the first time he begins the season as the starter — an important distinction for his confidence, he says.

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"They can improve," Harsin continued. "They can get better. And it’s amazing that what a guy did last year — they’re not the same players, they’re not the same guys — that we just go back to what you have video on. You have last year. And I get that. You’re comparing it to last year. I get to see (Finley) every day since last season and what he’s done. We’ve moved on from last year with every one of our players. Guys improve. They grow."

It was an adamant public defense of Finley, who in hindsight was always the most fitting quarterback to start during Harsin's hot seat season.

The junior certainly does not own the title of People's Choice QB1.

You think Harsin cares?

About as much as he cares that you're still wondering if he'll be the coach by Iron Bowl Saturday. About as much as he seems to care about the notion that Auburn boosters never wanted him here.

Who better to embody that attitude than Finley, who took over the offense when Auburn was early in its five-game tailspin?

Finley says he considered walking away from football when transfers Zach Calzada and Robby Ashford joined the roster this offseason. It looked like an affront to the coaching staff's trust in Finley. It proved to be the opposite.

"Competition brings out the best in you, so you bring guys in," Harsin said.

Beyond the win-loss record, which can be deceptive, Finley finished the season with a 54.7% completion rate. As Harsin notes, "you hope your quarterbacks are above that. You want to be in 60-plus percentage." Finley studied his mechanics and focused on adding consistency to his release point and his follow-through. He worked on his situational awareness: What is the right throw to make on second-and-7? Harsin has credited the junior for his superior understanding of the offense.

And maybe most importantly, Finley lost 10 pounds: "I like to call it baby weight." He feels more nimble in his body at 240, and he has tested his mobility more in practice. He has been studying his LSU predecessor, Joe Burrow, who "extended so many plays to where Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson were able to get downfield."

Finley's over-arching point? Sounds like Harsin's. Give me time.

"I think a lot of other quarterbacks are granted the opportunity to wait until later, their junior year and early their senior year to be able to play and blossom," Finley said. "But I’ve been thrown into the fire since I was 18 years old. So, all the stuff that has been said — ‘Oh, he’s not developed,’ and stuff like that — we’ve got guys that are rookies in the (NFL) that are 25 years old. Like, let’s give it some time."

There was an edge in his voice.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: TJ Finley wasn't your pick for Auburn QB1. Think Bryan Harsin cares?