Wallace excited about Malzahn’s offense

New Auburn coach Gus Malzahn brings his high-paced, no-huddle offense back to the Plains. Quarterback Jonathan Wallace said he is looking forward to the change.

“Of course that’s what I did in high school,” Wallace said, “and just to be able to get back to it now, it’s going to be fun. It’s all about work ethic and how much time you spend with it. That’s going to be the biggest things making this transition.”

Malzahn has multiple players on the roster from his days as Auburn’s offensive coordinator from 2009-11. Malzahn spent 2012 with the Arkansas State Red Wolves and tried to get Wallace to join him. Now Malzahn has a chance to coach the recruit he missed out on last year.

“Of course a lot of guys were recruited by him,” Wallace said. “I was recruited by him as well when he got the job at Arkansas State. So, I’m very familiar with coach Malzahn and he’s a great guy.”

Malzahn said every position is open to competition, but the most compelling is at quarterback. Wallace started the final three games this year but Malzahn has history with former USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year Kiehl Frazier, who started the first five games. Just to make things interesting, 6-foot-6, four-star recruit Jeremy Johnson will join the Tigers next season and is fresh off of running a high-paced spread-offense at Carver in Montgomery.

Wallace said he is embracing the competition.

“That’s just part of the game, winning your job,” Wallace said. “That’s what every competitor should want to to. You’ve got to want to earn it. Just have to go out and work hard.”