Ashton Daniels will not play in Auburn's contest against Mercer on Saturday.
During his press conference to preview the Auburn Tigers' contest against the Mercer Bears on Saturday, interim head coach DJ Durkin announced that quarterback Ashton Daniels will sit out to preserve his redshirt.
"I feel that you have a great responsibility as a head coach to do what is best for your football team and your program at all times," Durkin said. "That’s what you’re hired to do. That’s what you need to do. I also feel you have a great responsibility to the young men you coach and their families to do what is best for them."
Durkin believes allowing Daniels the opportunity to keep his redshirt in tact and have the option to return next season in in the best interest of everyone.
"I think the best thing for Ashton (Daniels) is to preserve his redshirt year and be able to come back and play another year," Durkin said. "I think it’s tremendous for this program and also for him. He has great football ahead of him, so we are going to do that. He will not play in this game so that he can keep that redshirt year. Again, I just think it’s clearly the right thing to do.”
With Daniels sidelined, Jackson Arnold is expected to step back into the signal caller role for the Tigers. Additionally, freshman Deuce Knight could have the opportunity to see the field.
“Both of those guys are playing in this game, Jackson (Arnold) and Deuce (Knight)," Durkin said. "We’re going to go through practice this week and sort out what exactly that looks like, but I’m looking at both yesterday and they are both tremendously excited about this.
Kickoff between Auburn and Mercer is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. The game will be livestreamed on SEC Network+.