4 Transfer Locations for Joey Gatewood After Leaving Auburn

Bo Nix emerging as the starter for Auburn's foreseeable future has forced former star recruit and backup Joey Gatewood out of town, as the 6-5, 233 pound freshman left the team in search of playing time elsewhere. The Jacksonville native is likely going to look for another southern school, and these four should go hard after Gatewood following his self-imposed exodus.

4. Mississippi State

Losing Nick Fitzgerald has been a death blow for the Bulldogs, as both Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens and shellshocked freshman Garrett Shrader have struggled to run Joe Moorhead's offense. Gatewood is almost a carbon copy of Fitzgerald. He's a burly, bruising runner who can make something happen with his feet, but he's also more polished as a passer. Going from Auburn to Mississippi State could be problematic, but there are few better fits, purely from a schematic standpoint.

3. SMU

Sonny Dykes has been working his magic with the undefeated Mustangs, as former Texas transfer Shane Buechele is currently tearing up the competition for SMU. Buechele could bolt for the pros after this season, which would give Gatewood a clear path to a starting job in an Air Raid offense that would play to his strengths. With Gatewood behind center, SMU could continue to be lethal after Buechele leaves town.

2. UCF

Gatewood is from Jacksonville, so you can bet he'll take a look at the Florida schools when he transfers. The injury to McKenzie Milton has left UCF a bit rudderless at QB, as Brandon Wimbush and Darriel Mack haven't been able to find playing time behind Dillon Gabriel, who certainly has had his ups and downs. Gatewood would bring the quarterback-run dimension back to this offense, while showing off enough arm talent to keep the Knights flying high.

1. Florida State

Willie Taggart was able to bring Alex Hornibrook to Tallahassee, and after looking objectively terrible at Wisconsin he's been...alright for Kendal Briles' offense. Taggart is desperate, as the team continues to spin their tires and remain stuck in .500 mode, and the Seminoles need a big-time transfer to get them back in the swing of things in the ACC. Gatewood would be a bit of a wild card, but if Briles can make Hornibrook and James Blackman look as good as they've been, Gatewood could surpass all of them, given his skill as a runner.