AUBURN — After Auburn football's second preseason scrimmage Friday night and a walk-through practice Saturday morning, the Tigers are closing in on a starting quarterback decision and will have one by the end of next week.

Game preparation for the season opener on Sept. 3 starts Tuesday. Coach Bryan Harsin was asked if he expects to have a quarterback named by then.

"Too early to tell right now. I'll get with the coaches," he said. "We're going to take today, and the coaches are going to handle what they need to, and do some of the things personally so they can be ready to go on Sunday. And then what we'll do after our team activity on Sunday is we'll sit down as a staff and start going through: 'Alright, where are we at?' So potentially be Tuesday we could be there, and I want to see what everybody thinks."

The Sunday discussions will also involve other position battles and narrowing the travel squad. On Monday, the staff will reassess their conversations and "probably be flipping depth charts a little bit," Harsin said.

"I'm not saying by Tuesday we'll have the final decision: That final decision will come toward the end of next week for sure."

Like offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau on Friday, Harsin complimented T.J. Finley first when addressing the candidates. He talked about Robby Ashford second. 

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Saturday's practice was further evidence that Finley is distancing himself from the pack, as he took the first reps in every drill. During seven-on-sevens, he threw a nice ball to Koy Moore, fitting it into a hole in the secondary 20 yards over the middle.

Another of his most impressive reps was a field side out route for 10 yards to junior Malcolm Johnson Jr., whose stock has been rising in the receiver competition this week.

"He's the guy who can really run and get out there. We've got to find creative ways to get him the ball," Kiesau said. "I'm looking for big things from him this year."

Running back Tank Bigsby was practicing after he sat out the scrimmage. He lined up out wide with Finley's first team a few times as the Tigers worked through the route tree.

Transfer Zach Calzada was the only quarterback to throw an interception during seven-on-sevens. He didn't take any first reps during the 90-minute practice.

Senior receiver Shedrick Jackson took a rest day and spent practice helping younger players. Receivers spent an individual period working on back-shoulder catches while covered and tip-toeing the sideline.

After the seventh drill period, Harsin called the entire team together at midfield and awarded a full scholarship to walk-on Jake Levant, a third-year linebacker from Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

The team erupted and mobbed Levant in celebration.

"It took me a second to realize what was happening," Levant said. "All of a sudden people are jumping on me."

Then he coronated himself with an interception.

Calzada made a bad read during a seven-on-seven period and threw into traffic over the middle. Levant took advantage of the opportunity and snagged the sharp throw, earning a second round of applause from his defensive teammates.

"Good cherry on top," Levant said.