Auburn gives top QB job to Westlake High's Newton

Cameron Newton has been named Auburn’s No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice, coach Gene Chizik has told the Montgomery Advertiser.

The Westlake High School graduate joined Auburn in January as a junior college transfer from Blinn College in Texas.

He was the No. 1 overall junior college prospect, according to Rivals.com in 2009

Newton, from College Park, was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 while attending Westlake.

“After thoroughly evaluating our quarterbacks during spring practice and over the last week, Cam has emerged as our post-spring No. 1 quarterback,” Chizik told the Montgomery Advertiser. “Obviously, he will have a lot of work to do over the summer and during two-a-days to continue along this path. We fully expect our other quarterbacks to continue to work hard and compete with Cam during the off-season and into fall camp.”

Newton played for Blinn after attending the University of Florida in 2007 and 2008.

At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, Newton passed for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and 16 scores this past season at Blinn. Newton completed 204-of-336 passes for the Buccaneers, who finished with an 11-1 record.