REUTERS/Mike Blake
By Chris Marler
Better teams? Sure. Better seasons? Maybe. But no player in SEC history ever had a season like Cam Newton in 2010.
Joe Burrow’s 2019 run was historic. But when we argue about legendary seasons, we bring up 2019 LSU, 2001 Miami… and forget 2010 Auburn. That’s because Cam Newton didn’t have anything close to the same supporting cast.
Cam Newton arrived at Auburn with an interrogation lamp over his head, every step scrutinized. The spotlight only grew brighter as the season went on. After all, this was a former five-star who was kicked out of Florida after stealing a laptop, and then, hilariously, tried to pass it off as his own by white-outing his initials on the case.
He became a star in the JUCO ranks and then found himself looking to get back in the SEC. However, with three weeks left before January enrollment, he wasn’t even considering the Tigers. His final three schools were Kansas State, Tennessee, and Mississippi State, and with his connection to Dan Mullen, Starkville looked like the obvious landing spot.
Maybe it was divine intervention. Maybe it was the 180,000 reasons that Auburn gave him to come to the Plains. In the end, it unfolded exactly as it was meant to.
Cam Newton’s single season at Auburn is the most unbelievable season we’ve ever seen. He was a leader, a fan favorite and a human cheat code on third and short. At the time, his reputation was marred by critics and rival fans who viewed him as being ahead of the curve on NIL. But, no one dominated a season like Newton.
Four of his teammates were drafted. That’s it. Two on offense, two on defense. Everything else was Newton dragging Auburn to a title by sheer force of will. Nearly half their wins were comeback wins. His defense was ranked 53rd nationally in points allowed, and they also defeated six ranked teams on their schedule en route to a 14-0 season, despite being ranked No. 24 to start the year.
He finished the 2010 season with over 4,200 total yards, 51 touchdowns and a Heisman trophy. He was the second player in SEC history to throw for 30 touchdowns and run for another 20 (Tim Tebow, 2007). He even caught a touchdown in the back corner of Vaught-Hemingway stadium that October. Newton did everything.
And he did it with ease.
Auburn will officially retire Cam Newton’s jersey this season, honoring him ahead of the Georgia matchup. He will become the fourth player to have his number retired at Auburn, following No. 7 Pat Sullivan, No. 34 Bo Jackson and No. 88 Terry Beasley.
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