Quarterback Barrett Trotter passes on Auburn senior season

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Auburn QB Barrett Trotter (AP)
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Auburn quarterback Barrett Trotter, who completed his redshirt junior season with a riveting performance against Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, has decided not to return for his senior year.

Trotter started the first seven games for the Tigers this past season before being replaced by redshirt sophomore Clint Moseley, but he came in for an injured Moseley during the bowl and rallied the Tigers to a 43-24 rout. He was 11-of-18 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown against the Cavaliers, and he added 32 yards rushing.

A two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, Trotter graduated last August with a degree in communications and now is enrolled in Auburn's graduate school.

"Barrett is a great young man who ended his career in a fitting way by helping lead our team to victory in the Chick-fil-A Bowl," Tigers coach Gene Chizik said in a release. "We are very appreciative to Barrett for his contributions to Auburn both on and off the field, and we wish him nothing but the best as he takes the next step in his life."

Trotter completed 92 of 167 passes last season for 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns. He played in 14 career games for the Tigers.

"My four years at Auburn have been a great experience, and I'm thankful for the opportunities that I've had," Trotter said. "I'm truly blessed to have been a part of winning seasons and championships during my time at Auburn. I'm also very appreciative of Coach Chizik and the coaching staff, as well as my teammates and the entire Auburn family."

Nussmeier to Tide?

Multiple media outlets were reporting Monday that Alabama coach Nick Saban has hired Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to the same position with the Crimson Tide, but there was no official announcement from Alabama.

The Huskies ranked 25th nationally in scoring offense this past season (33.4 points a game), 38th in total offense (409.9 yards) and scored 56 points in the Alamo Bowl, only to lose by 11 to Baylor.

Before joining Steve Sarkisian's staff in 2009, Nussmeier was Fresno State's offensive coordinator in 2008. He replaced Jim McElwain at Fresno after McElwain left to become Alabama's offensive coordinator, which resulted in a 48-6 four-year record that included BCS national championships in '09 and this past season.

McElwain, who left Alabama after last Monday's 21-0 win over LSU to be the head coach at Colorado State, worked with Nussmeier at Michigan State from 2003 to '05.

Bulldogs invited

Seven Georgia players have been invited to the NFL combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis.

Receiving invitations were cornerback Brandon Boykin, punter Drew Butler, kicker Blair Walsh, defensive end DeAngelo Tyson, center Ben Jones and tackles Cordy Glenn and Justin Anderson.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.