One of Cam Newton’s college coaches is enjoying his “I told you so” opportunity.
Guz Malzahn, who coached Newton as Auburn’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2010, isn’t at all surprised by the superlative season currently being produced by the Carolina Panthers quarterback.
“He’s got a chance to be one of the best ever, in my opinion,” said Malzahn, via ESPN. “Everybody is starting to see that. I’ve been saying that for a while.”
During his one season at Auburn, Newton threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for 20 more, leading the Tigers to a National Championship and winning the Heisman Trophy. He left after 2010, and the Panthers picked him first overall in the 2011 NFL draft.
Four years later, Newton has led Carolina to within three wins of a perfect regular season. He’s also the front-runner to win NFL MVP.
After 13 games, Newton is on pace to throw for almost 3,800 yards and 34 touchdown, with over 600 rushing yards and eight scores. No quarterback in NFL history has ever hit all four statistical marks in one season.
“He’s a true weapon,” said Malzahn, who is now the head coach at Auburn. “He puts tremendous pressure on defenses with his legs. The way he’s throwing the ball right now, you can tell he’s got good timing with the receivers, he’s got great command of the offense.”
The Panthers currently rank first in points scored and second in rushing yards.
Newton isn’t running as much as he did at Auburn. Still, his 42 rushes for first downs ranks sixth in the NFL, and only five players have more rushing touchdowns than his seven.
A dominant runner since his rookie season, Newton’s improved ability throwing the ball has helped put him over the top. He has produced a 96.9 passer rating with 28 passing touchdowns in 2015—both career highs. His passing development has come despite losing top receiver Kelvin Benjamin before the season.
The whole package has finally come together. An equally dangerous player running or throwing the football, Newton is now the MVP front runner for a Super Bowl-quality team looking to finish off a perfect season.
Malzahn saw it coming all along.
“When he was coming out, what I was telling people is he’s got everything it takes,” Malzahn said.
Newton has proven his college coach exactly right.