Freshmen challenging for playing time

[aubiefifty 16,658]

  ..........how many of the newcomers are challenging for playing time in 2018 . . .

 

auburn.247sports.com

What we've learned from Auburn Tigers 2018 preseason camp so far

ByBrandon Marcello

12-15 minutes

 

 

Manage

AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn took the day off Sunday to prepare for the final week of preseason camp.

Nine practices, including a 100-play scrimmage, are in the books and on Monday the work toward completely figuring out the depth chart will enter the final chapter.

We've learned a lot about these Tigers in the span of just over one week. We also know that there have been some surprises, a few question marks left unanswered and some solid info the coaches can count on heading into fall camp, when classes begin on campus Aug. 20.

Let's take a look back and share a few things we've learned about the Tigers over the first nine of 16 preseason practices, what it all means and much more heading into fall camp.

Auburn freshman receiver Seth Williams on Day 1 of preseason camp Aug. 3, 2018. (Photo: Anthony Hall, 247Sports)

Auburn wasn't necessarily caught by a surprise when several freshmen stepped up and showed they’re worthy of playing this season, but the coaches might be caught off guard by how many of the newcomers are challenging for playing time in 2018.

You can probably count on receivers Anthony Schwartz, Seth Williams and Matthew Hill finding their way in the rotation somewhere on the field. The emergence of running back Shaun Shivers, a shifty and absolutely blazing player at only 5-foot-7, has been the talk of preseason camp. I fully expect Shivers to have a role on the team, whether it is as a gadget player (trick plays) or as a motion man on offense.

Meanwhile, you can expect Schwartz to potentially be Auburn's top jet-sweep receiver as he backs up Darius Slayton as the top deep threat on the team. Seth Williams have been tremendous in the red zone as he uses his athleticism and size to high-point the ball. Matthew Hill has also impressed with some big catches in practices and scrimmage-like situations.

Oh, and don't count out receiver Shedrick Jackson, who is the only newcomer at receiver to enroll at Auburn in January and participate in spring practices.

Simply put, the Tigers are stacked at receiver thanks to the emergence off newcomers at receiver. Now it's just a matter of figuring out who plays and how much they play in the season opener Sept. 1 against Washington.

J.B. Grimes (Photo: Anthony Hall, 247Sports)

Offensive line coach J.B. Grimes feels like his inexperienced-but-talented unit is on track heading into the 10th practice of preseason camp.

The onus is certainly on the offensive line to produce and be consistent early in the season, especially after former assistant Herb Hand's offensive lines struggled to protect the quarterback and open running lanes for running backs over the last two seasons (Auburn was at or near the bottom of the country in tackles for loss allowed through the first two to three games in each season of Hand's tenure). Grimes is back on the Plains for a second stint as Auburn's offensive line coach and this might be his most difficult job yet.

He is still figuring out the right side of the offensive line, but it's becoming clear he feels comfortable with potentially starting Kaleb Kim at center, keeping Mike Horton at right guard and starting redshirt freshman Austin Troxell at right tackle if needed. That's a tremendous development, especially as he, offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and coach Gus Malzahn still contemplate whether to move Horton to center, start former tackle Calvin Ashley at guard and elevate UMass graduate transfer Jack Driscoll to the top of the heap at right tackle.

These battles are not over, sure, but the progress over the first nine practices, including a scrimmage, has provided Grimes hope.

Nick Coe (Photo: Greg McWilliams, 247Sports)

Everyone assumed T.D. Moultry would replace Jeff Holland as the Buck pass rusher, but defensive coordinator Kevin Steele pumped the brakes on that chatter last week. Not only is Moultry not the starter, but he threw a third name into the battle: Nick Coe.

Moultry, who backed up Holland last season, could be the next double-digit sack master for the Tigers, but all eyes are on Coe and where he lands. Will Coe, a massive 282-pounder with incredible pass-rushing moves and speed, start at Buck or will he move elsewhere along the defensive line? Perhaps Coe will play three positions this season along the defensive line, leading him to plenty of playing time but not a starting job.

And what about Big Kat Bryant? The redshirt freshman is still learning the position, but he is a bluechip talent and he will play this season. He might actually emerge as the starter at Buck.

Steele is in no hurry to announce a starter, which makes us believe a lot of rotation could happen at that position early in the season if needed. Either way, Auburn seems to be in a fantastic position along the defensive line with nine of 10 players in the two-deep returning (with the lone departure at, you guessed it, Buck).

Arryn Siposs (Photo: Adam Sparks, Inside the Auburn Tigers/AUTigers.com, Scout.com)

Auburn's desire to figure out the issues with punt and kick coverage (net punting was near the bottom of the country last season) started in the spring and continued into preseason camp. Larry Porter is now overseeing special teams, replacing Tim Horton, who now handles punt returners mostly after being the Tigers' special teams coordinator (in addition to his continued duties as running backs coach).

Australian Arryn Siposs has arrived and immediately impressed coaches. Unless something crazy happens, the 25-year-old sophomore will be the Tigers' starting punter. Aidan Marshall has made strides, especially in the weight room by gaining nearly 30 pounds, but Siposs' big leg and maturity will go a long way to improving the TIgers' special teams.

The question now is whether Auburn can be explosive in the return game. Should receiver Ryan Davis remain as the primary punt returner, coaches can rely on experience and explosiveness to get the Tigers back into the top 20 nationally in return yards. If not, they will likely turn to Christian Tutt or Matthew Hill. Auburn has usually relied on juniors or seniors, like Davis, to return punts, but if the Tigers need Davis on the field more often on offense, they may go with young potential rather than the sure hands of Davis.

JaTarvious Whitlow (Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

Junior Kam Martin will likely open the season as the starting running back, but don't count on him holding onto the job throughout the season. JaTarvious Whitlow and Asa Martin are bigger and with the Tigers leaning on a bellcow at running back from the midpoint of the season forward in the Malzahn era, you can probalby expect that to happen again.

Whitlow and Asa Martin are smooth and powerful runners, and seeing Asa Martin remain in the top three at running back after impressing everyone as an early enrolle in the spring is a great sign.

Interestingly, Auburn has entered seasons and games with plans to play several running backs and split carries. Those plans are usually fulfilled early in the season, but are ditched late in the year in the big games.

We expect Kam Martin to start against Washington, and while he might get the most carries, watch out for Whitlow and Asa Martin. What happens after Week 3 (LSU) will tell the tale of the season at running back and what the future holds for all three players.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and offensive line coach J.B. Grimes. (Photo: Anthony Hall, 247Sports)

Malzahn made headlines when he said he might break trends and potentially settle on a depth chart, specifically along the offensive line, following the first scrimmage of preseason camp. Well, Thursday came and went, and while he has not talked to the media since, word is jobs are still up for grabs up front, though the picture is becoming much clearer for the coaches.

We expect Auburn to continue with battles along the right side of the offensive line, Buck, cornerback, Nickel, punter and punt return through the second scrimmage of preseason camp, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. If that happens, the Tigers will close preseason camp with an important scrimmage determining jobs and then open fall camp (Aug. 21) after the start of fall classes with a depth chart.

Calvin Ashley (Photo: Brandon Marcello, 247Sports)

Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene is expected to start on the opposite side of Jamel Dean at cornerback, but should there be a slow in his progress in his return from an undisclosed health issue, then a new player will have to emerge. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele expects Igbinoghene to be good to go in the season opener.

Meanwhile, receivers Marquis McClain (undisclosed injury), Ryan Davis and Darius Slayton have worn orange, non-contact jerseys in practices and scrimmages. Davis and Slayton are wearing non-contact jerseys, we're told, to make sure the Tigers' top two receivers are healthy heading into the season, even though they are not injured.

Offensive guard Calvin Ashley suffered a scary neck/head injury in the First scrimmage Thursday, but was quickly cleared by doctors that afternoon and returned to practices in full pads Saturday. He is good to go for the rest of camp.

Center Nick Brahms is trying out a new ankle brace to help power through some pain related to his recovery from a broken fibula he suffered in the spring. He is expected to begin full-contact drills on game week, which means he should be available for the opener but will not be in line to start after battling Kaleb Kim for the starting job throughout the spring.

Nate Craig-Myers catches a jump pass touchdown throw from running back Kerryon Johnson against ALabama. (Photo: Greg McWilliams, 247Sports)

Coaches expect junior Nate Craig-Myers to elevate himself to contend and become on of Auburn's top three receivers this season. Craig-Myers had only 16 catches last season, disappeared midway through the year, and then came on strong near the end, especially in the loss to UCF in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Craig-Myers was a blue-chip prospect out of Tampa Catholic and if he's going to have a memorable season, it needs to happen now because there is a large contingent of freshmen waiting to jump him on the depth chart.

This is the deepest and most talented group of receivers Gus Malzahn has had in his tenure.

Jarrett Stidham (Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

Yes, Jarrett Stidham led the SEC in completion percentage (66.5) and he hit some incredible throws down the field, but the next step for the NFL hopeful is simple: elevate the play of his teammates.

The quarterback you might best compare Stidham to is Eli Manning, who made his receivers at Ole Miss much better and, as a result, the entire team was a contender in the SEC. Stidham can and should do the same thing this season, whether it's throwing his receivers open, making better decisions in the pocket and under pressure (he struggled late in the season against the blitz). If he cuts back on the turnovers (a Pick 6 and a pair of fumbles in the red zone in the final two losses last season stick out) and takes advantage of the immense talent at receiver, he will watch players match his level of play, and potentially exceed it, throughout the season.

Manning did that at Ole Miss. That's what first-round NFL Draft picks do in college football, and Stidham's arm, presence and leadership matches everything you want. The Tigers will be as good as Stidham because he'll bring everyone up to his level.

Oh, and those back-shoulder throws you're hearing so much about? You're going to see that a lot this season.

Jeremiah Dinson (Photo: Inside The Auburn Tigers, Scout.com)

Auburn had unquestioned leaders with seniors Tray Matthews and Stephen Roberts at both safety positions last season. Matthews was the go-to deep cover man and Roberts was a hard hitter near the line of scrimmage and in the open field.

Auburn hopes Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas replicate those roles, respectively, this season. Dinson was the most consistent defensive player throughout spring practices and continues to be a leader on the back end. Thomas has already proven himself capable of playing strong safety after making his debut as a freshman two seasons ago in the Iron Bowl with two picks.

What fans should keep ane eye on are the backups. Jamien Sherwood and Smoke Monday are the top backups as freshmen and the talk is either one of them could be ready to start at some point this season if needed.

247Sports

[Zeek 16,584]

The cliche, "competition breeds success," is very much true. Glad to hear that a lot of players will be pushed for starting time. Especially having a lot of solid returning talent. If the OL and the Secondary shape up I can see us being even better this year.

[aucanucktiger 1,789]

The Good:

...by how quickly Jarrett becomes very good at checking in & out of plays.

The Bad:

...by how many big plays we give up on D during September.