Auburn's quarterbacks will start with a blank slate when spring practices begin March 1.
In fact, it doesn't appear previous performances will matter at all when Jeremy Johnson, Sean White, Tyler Queen and newcomer John Franklin III step on the field.
"Our quarterback position is wide open," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said.
Auburn struggled throughout the 2015 season at quarterback, where Jeremy Johnson lost his job and regained it when Sean White injured a foot and knee. Neither quarterback had a stellar season, combining for 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while rushing for a combined 172 yards, leaving coaches to land two dual-threat quarterbacks in the signing class Wednesday.
The competition could extend into preseason camp in August, too, Malzahn said, but he'd rather not have four players splitting reps in a wide-open battle at that time. Freshman Woody Barrett will also have a shot at winning the job in August, Malzahn said.
"As far as our quarterbacks are concerned, I'm really looking forward to spring to let those guys compete," Malzahn said. "There are a lot of good options, and competition brings out the best in everybody, so I think all those guys are ready to roll their sleeves up and get ready to work."
Franklin III will be the lone newcomer in the spring, though many expect him to rise up the depth chart quickly.
"There's not a lot of quarterbacks who run a 4.38 in the 40(-yard dash) and run track, too," Franklin III said in a National Signing Day video released by Auburn. "I feel like my speed alone seperates me from a lot of quarterbacks. The fact I have a cannon and can throw the ball a mile because I've been playing baseball all my life really helps, so I feel I'm the true definition of a dual-threat quarterback."
The East Mississippi Community College transfer played in a two-quarterback system last season. He passed for 733 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 451 yards and nine more scores in the fall. Fans may remember him from his time at Florida State, where he emulated Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall during BCS Championship practices.
Franklin signs with Auburn, eyes starting job
"He's fit in very well," Malzahn said. "He's a very likable young man. Something about our team is they're very welcoming. The guys that come in, they just embrace them, so I think he's very comfortable and fitting in very well."
Franklin III (6-1, 174) will get the chance to become Malzahn's third junior college transfer to start at quarterback in his last five seasons as Auburn's head coach or offensive coordinator. Cam Newton won a Heisman Trophy and national title in 2010; Marshall won an SEC title and led the Tigers to the BCS Championship game in 2013.
"I wanted to be in an offense that was tailored more to my skill set," Franklin III. "That's the fast-pace, zone-read type of offense. The second was coach Malzahn's track record of junior college quarterbacks. He's been very successful with them and his resume speaks for itself. I wanted to put myself in the best situation, too, and continue to go at the same level as those guys before me did."
Franklin told AL.com in November his goal was to win the starting job before the start of fall camp.