Auburn's Gus Malzahn says Cam Newton can be "best ever"

AUBURN, Ala., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's college coach didn't mince words when discussing the former Auburn star.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn talked to Scott Van Pelt Tuesday on SportsCenter, where he said Newton could be the "best that ever played."

"He's got a chance, and I said this when he first came out, he's got a chance to be one of the best to ever play or the best that ever played," Malzahn said on SportsCenter.

"He's got everything. He's got a work ethic, he's just a great competitor, he's very coachable, he can run, he can make all the throws. He's got everything it takes. Everybody is seeing that now and it's going to be fun to watch."

Newton won the Heisman trophy and a national title for Malzahn at Auburn.

"That's the it factor," Malzahn said. "The special ones have it and he definitely showed that year that he had it. As the games got bigger, he played his best. He's got the it factor."

Newton, 26, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a good bet for the 2015 NFL MVP. In 2015, Newton completed 296-of-496 passes for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Newton also rushed for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.