HOOVER, Ala. – Let’s get something straight right now, long before the nonsense of what could be overwhelms what is.
Jeremy Johnson isn’t Cam Newton.
MORE: SEC non-con schedule rankings | HAYES: McElwain's big project: Solving UF's QB problem
He isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime player in a once-in-forever season navigating the untenable to reach the unthinkable. There, get it?
Now understand this: Johnson may also be exactly what Auburn needs to get back to playing in the SEC Championship Game, and by proxy, the College Football Playoff. That should be more than enough.
“The whole Cam thing; that’s not a fair comparison,” says Auburn coach Gus Malzahn.
Then, moments later, Malzahn is quick to point out what he thinks is Johnson’s biggest contribution to Auburn in his previous three seasons: he didn’t leave and go play somewhere else.
“He’s that good,” Malzahan said. “He could have played anywhere.”
Welcome to the strange and fascinating intersection of 78 career passes and unfiltered hyperbole. It was last year at this time when Malzahn first planted the seeds of this offseason of hype.
It was then that Nick Marshall, his star returning quarterback, was staring at a suspension for off-field problems. Malzahn strolled into SEC Media Days last year and told anyone who would listen that whatever the punishment, it wasn’t a big deal because of this sophomore named Jeremy Johnson.
He can play for any other team in the nation, Malzahn said. He’s that good.
Then Johnson went out and completed 12 of 16 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns in one half of the season opener against Arkansas. Marshall returned, and Johnson – other than mopup time – wasn’t heard from again.
So here we are again in the Birmingham suburbs, hearing that same message from Malzahn over and over about his 6-5, 235-pound quarterback who looks just like Newton – right down to his infectious, ear-to-ear smile.
The only difference: Newton was more of a running threat. At least, that’s the scouting report.
“Am I practicing running? No, of course not,” Johnson said after yet another inane Media Days question. “Running is running. You just go.”
And passing is passing – the very thing Malzahn was drawn to when he returned to The Plains two years ago and first saw Johnson. The big frame, the live arm, the ability to make a throw from the hashmark to the sidelines on a rope.
MORE: SN's Top 25 quarterbacks for 2015 | Early Heisman watch
Why is this so important, you ask? Because it allows Malzahn to spread his offense even further on the field; to line up receivers at or outside the numbers and force defenses to react to his play calling instead of finding holes in a limited space between the numbers because his quarterback can’t make the wide throws on time.
The field spreads and everything opens up – and the hurry up no huddle offense goes from dangerous to destructive. Now you see the value of Johnson and his strong right arm.
“We see it in practice, it’s ridiculous,” said Auburn cornerback Jonathan Jones. “The hype is real.”
Real enough that Auburn, despite only four returning starters on offense and significant questions on the offensive line, likely will be the favorite to win the SEC when the media votes later this week.
Some of that is directly tied to Will Muschamp’s hire as defensive coordinator. But by the end of the season, the bigger addition might just be Johnson.
“I don’t feel any pressure at all,” Johnson said. “Why should I? It’s just football.”
If that sounds familiar, it should. Newton had the same unflappable confidence fueled by unique talent.
Strange and fascinating, all right.