Taking stock of Auburn's position groups in final week of spring

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Taking stock of Auburn's position groups in final week of spring

By Nathan King77 mins

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Auburn Secondary Coach Zac Etheridge on Spring Training

 

A-Day will soon be upon us, as Auburn now enters its final week of spring practices, with session No. 12 set to get under way Monday afternoon.

The Tigers will practice three more times this week before the spring game Saturday inside Jordan-Hare Stadium (1 p.m. CST, SEC Network). Bryan Harsin said over the weekend that the team may not be able to split 50-50 in a traditional spring game sense, considering the injuries and other depth issues that have the Tigers hurting for numbers at certain positions.

Regardless, A-Day will be the culmination of four weeks of work for Auburn’s roster and coaching staff. Here’s what we’ve learned about each position group through three weeks, including the starter(s), injuries of note, a breakout player and a wild card to watch (all personnel information is as of the team’s latest scrimmage this past Saturday).

QUARTERBACK

(Jason Caldwell, Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): T.J. Finley

Finley has commanded “most” of the first-team reps throughout the spring, according to Harsin. He has a smooth command of the offense, but Harsin and the staff are now looking for more explosion in the passing game from the junior and former LSU transfer. Finley started Auburn’s final three games last season.

Injuries: Zach Calzada

The Texas A&M transfer was expected to be a strong contender in the starting QB competition this spring, but he’s been limited by the same shoulder injury he sustained, coincidentally, against Auburn last season. He’s been getting plenty of “mental reps,” though, and he’ll look to make a splash in the position battle when fully healthy this fall.

Breakout player: N/A

Wild card: Robby Ashford

With Calzada injured and Dematrius Davis having transferred out, Ashford, an Oregon transfer and former four-star recruit from Hoover, has been in charge of the second-team offense for the majority of the spring. He’s been an impressive athlete, his coaches and teammates say, but Harsin has noted that Ashford may be wanting to get a bit ahead of himself. If the redshirt sophomore, who didn’t appear in a game at Oregon, can get a strong understanding of the offense before the fall, there’s no reason he can’t still be in the mix for the starting job.

RUNNING BACK

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Tank Bigsby

Bigsby’s skill set screams All-SEC at every practice, as it’s overly clear he’s the team’s most talented player. Auburn’s coaches have spoken about the importance of Bigsby within the offense this season, as he’ll be looked to for a consistent ground game early and often in 2022.

Injuries: Jarquez Hunter

A breakout freshman last season, Hunter has missed most of spring ball after undergoing a “cleanup” on his leg that will keep him out at least another couple months. Harsin said it was “the right time” for the procedure, and Hunter should be a full participant by the time preseason camp rolls around.

Breakout player: Sean Jackson

Jackson’s done nothing but be a practice playmaker since he arrived on campus last year, and he was rewarded for his consistency just last week. The Trussville, Alabama, product was gifted a scholarship after last Friday’s practice. He’s been the second-team running back for most of spring following Hunter’s injury.

Wild card: Jordon Ingram

A former Central Michigan transfer who only touched the ball twice last season, Ingram has received third-team reps in the spring, and the coaches have praised his playmaking ability with the ball in his hands, particularly as a receiver out of the backfield. With Shaun Shivers gone, Ingram could be in a competition with summer enrollee Damari Alston for a third-down back role.

WIDE RECEIVER

(Todd Van Emst / Auburn Athletics)

Starter(s): Shedrick Jackson, Ja'Varrius Johnson, Malcolm Johnson Jr., Tar'Varish Dawson

Auburn’s top returning target in the receiving corps, Jackson has been a strong, veteran presence in the room this spring, as the Tigers are replacing two of their top three receivers, and their position coach. Dawson, who didn’t catch a pass last year, has emerged as a starting-adjacent player within the offense, and Johnson Jr.’s strides this spring have been complimented by Harsin.

Injuries: J.J. Evans

Johnson was out for a week with a hamstring injury but has since returned and is back in the starting rotation. But Evans, who hasn’t caught a pass in two seasons with the program, underwent a similar procedure as Hunter and will be out the rest of the spring.

Breakout player: Tar'Varish Dawson

Both Harsin and offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau said there hasn’t been bigger improvement for an offensive player from last season to this spring than Dawson. He had a strong preseason last year, too, but Harsin said Dawson’s attitude has matured, too, in addition to his skill set. Dawson is a blazing athlete who’s looked particularly effective chasing down deep balls.

Wild card: Landen King

The 6-foot-5 sophomore split time between tight end and receiver last season, and Auburn’s staff has embraced the hybrid role even further this spring. King is working in both rooms and could feasibly become a fully fledged, big-slot receiver by the time the season starts.

TIGHT END

(Todd Van Emst, Auburn Athletics)

Starter(s): John Samuel Shenker

Shenker is one of the offense’s most important players, serving as the top overall returning pass-catcher after his record-setting 2021 season. There’s plenty of depth behind him, and Auburn has utilized plenty of tight ends in the starting rotation this spring – including Frazier, who didn’t catch a pass last season but has seen ample work with the 1s.

Injuries: N/A

Breakout player: Brandon Frazier

At 6-foot-7, Frazier has been the room’s most improved player this spring, according to position coach Brad Bedell. And if King continues to work more at receiver, there should be playing time available for Frazier in 2022.

Wild card: N/A

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Kilian Zierer (left), Brenden Coffey/Alec Jackson (right)

With Troxell on the mend this spring, Zierer has been the unquestioned No. 1 at left tackler – where he said he’s most comfortable, as compared to the right side, where he started a game last season. Jackson has had more first-team reps than Coffey, though the former JUCO product has still been rotated in along the right side.

Injuries: Austin Troxell

Troxell has been nagged by the injury bug throughout his Auburn career, though his current issue doesn’t seem to be serious. He still rotates in for non-contact drills, and is expected to be a full participant again in the fall.

Breakout player: Kilian Zierer

Zierer said he’s the healthiest he’s been in years, a couple years after the severe knee injury he suffered when he was still a JUCO player before enrolling at Auburn in 2020. There should be serious competition at left tackle when Troxell returns, as Zierer is getting important reps and familiarity with the first-team offense this spring.

Wild card: Alec Jackson

Jackson, one of four super seniors who opted to return to Auburn in 2022, is an important piece because of his versatility. He started at left tackle in 2020, worked at both guard spots last season and is the current starter at right tackle.

OFFENSIVE GUARD

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Kam Stutts (left), Tate Johnson (right)

With injuries to both starting guards, Stutts, a fourth-year player who’s been biding his time as a reserve, and Johnson, a redshirt sophomore who’s also working at second-team center, have become key pieces to the O-line this spring. The hope for Harsin and position coach Will Friend is that when the starters return, Auburn will have built more quality depth behind them.

Injuries: Brandon Council, Keiondre Jones

Council was expected to miss all of spring after an offseason foot procedure, looking to be 100% healthy for his final college season this fall. But Jones was participating in the first couple weeks of the spring, but had a minor injury and has been limited since, according to Harsin.

Breakout player: Tate Johnson

Assuming the injury situation doesn't worsen for Auburn, Johnson likely won't have a starting role in 2022. But he's still improved this spring and is versatile enough to play both guard and center on the first and second team, respectively. Auburn has had dings and bruises along the offensive line over the past few seasons, though, and Johnson could be a candidate to fill in at a guard position.

Wild card: Jeremiah Wright

Originally recruited as an offensive lineman, Wright made the switch to defense ahead of the 2020 season. He was a breakout player along the D-line last spring before suffering a torn ACL. And now that he's back, Harsin fancies him as a more useful player back on the offensive line of scrimmage, where he's primarily repped at second-team right guard.

CENTER

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Jalil Irvin

Irvin's experience continues to grow, as he's appeared in several games over the course of the past few seasons, and was even snapping to Finley in the bowl game after Brahms' procedure. The former three-star recruit from Georgia should be in line to contend for a starting role once Brahms is gone in 2023.

Injuries: Nick Brahms

Brahms, who's set to return for his fourth straight season starting at center for the Tigers, underwent knee surgery in late December to, like Council, ensure that he's prepared for the season. Like Troxell, Brahms is still capable of participating in non-contact drills.

Breakout player: N/A

Wild card: N/A

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Colby Wooden, Marcus Harris, Jayson Jones

Wooden and Harris, who could both be preparing for the NFL this time next year, are not only two of the most important players on Auburn's defensive front, but on the defense as a whole. With some of the D-line depth issues the Tigers were dealt via the transfer portal, it's paramount for their starters to be performing at a high level this season, and it seems Wooden and Harris are embracing those expectations. Jones, another Oregon transfer, has emerged as the starting nose tackle this spring.

Injuries: Marquis Burks, Jeffrey M'ba

Burks' and M'ba's injuries have opened the door further, though, for Jones to secure his spot at nose tackle. Burks was a productive player last season who decided to return for one more year, while M'ba, the No. 1 JUCO defensive tackle recruit in the country, is still mending from a shoulder issue. Both will be ready for fall camp.

Breakout player: Jayson Jones

Jones had a couple roadblocks at Oregon, first dealing with an injury as an incoming freshman, then having to work behind a couple NFL players in 2021. Now at Auburn, Jones has impressed his teammates, with surprising athleticism for a 6-foot-6, 320-pound player. According to Harris, Jones is more capable of pushing around interior offensive linemen, as opposed to a nose tackle that's focused only on plugging gaps with his width.

Wild card: Zykeivous Walker

Auburn is still waiting for Walker, the second-highest rated recruit in the team's 2020 class, to break out. He's been a second-teamer this spring and hasn't popped yet in scrimmage settings. Considering the depth issues, Walker should get some opportunities in 2022.

EDGE RUSHER

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Derick Hall, Eku Leota

Auburn is top-heavy at its pass-rusher position, but there's a glaring lack of depth behind Hall and Leota, who combined for 22.5 tackles for loss last season. Redshirt freshman Dylan Brooks is the only other scholarship player in the room for new position coach Roc Bellantoni. As such, Auburn is relying heavily on not only production from its two returnees, but also veteran leadership and instruction to the rest of the room. The Tigers will be looking heavily at the transfer portal for other edge rushers once spring ends.

Injuries: N//A

Breakout player: N/A

Wild card: Dylan Brooks

The highest-rated prospect in Auburn's 2021 recruiting class, Brooks didn't play a single snap as a true freshman. But, like Dawson at receiver, he's come a long way since his first few months with the program, according to his coaches. Just by default because of the lack of numbers at the position, Brooks will get plenty of opportunities against SEC offensive lines this fall. If he's able to avoid a significant drop off from Hall and Leota, that would go a long way for Auburn's defensive front.

LINEBACKER

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Wesley Steiner, Cam Riley, Eugene Asante

The addition of Asante, a North Carolina transfer with starting experience in the ACC, has been an important piece in a linebackers room that is dealing with an injury to its best player. Still, third-year players Steiner and Riley have both developed physically over the past year, and look to be in position to contribute at a higher rate within the defense this fall.

Injuries: Owen Pappoe

Pappoe underwent an offseason procedure on his ankle to shore up the issues that held him out of eight games last season. The senior should be the quarterback of Auburn's defense this coming season, and will be chasing an All-SEC campaign to close out his career with the Tigers and bump his NFL draft stock.

Breakout player: N/A

Wild card: Joko Willis

A former JUCO standout who was a special-teams standout last season, Willis is now contributing at Auburn's "star" position, which was occupied by senior Chandler Wooten in 2021. Willis has impressive open-field athleticism and has drawn positive reviews after both of the team's spring scrimmages.

CORNERBACK

(Photo: Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Jaylin Simpson, Nehemiah Pritchett

The primary topic of conversation with Auburn's cornerback position this spring has been replacing Roger McCreary, who manned the Tigers' top spot in the secondary for two seasons and will be a high-round draft pick later this month. Luckily for secondary coach Zac Etheridge, he's got a pair of veterans in Simpson and Pritchett who are hungry to step up in 2022. Simpson has been a high-level player when he's been able to avoid injuries, and Pritchett has the versatility to slide over to nickel, which he did about half the time last season.

Injuries: N/A

Breakout player: A.D. Diamond

Outgoing transfers Eric Reed Jr. and Ro Torrence allowed for some new faces in the cornerback rotation, and the redshirt freshman Diamond has taken advantage. In most settings, he's been Auburn's No. 4 cornerback this spring — a role that Torrence found some scattered success with in 2021.

Wild card: D.J. James

James, the third and final Oregon transfer Auburn picked up this offseason, also has designs on taking over for McCreary, after he was a full-time starter for the Ducks last season. His level of production for the Tigers, if he's as good as they hoped when he was added in the transfer portal, could make for a formidable three-man rotation at cornerback, as Auburn looks to contend against the SEC's talented crop of receivers.

NICKEL/SAFETY

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

 

Starter(s): Caleb Wooden, Cayden Bridges, Donovan Kaufman

With Smoke Monday and Bydarrius Knighten gone, Auburn had a couple holes to fill at safety this spring — and the Tigers are still waiting on more personnel to join the secondary this fall, in the form of summer enrollee recruits and maybe a transfer. For now, Wooden and Bridges have been the primary first-teamers at safety, with Wooden serving as one of the top playmakers on the roster this spring. Kaufman is reprising his starting role from last season and has been more of a vocal leader, according to Etheridge.

Injuries: Zion Puckett

Puckett is dealing with a shoulder issue from last season and has been limited throughout the spring, opening the door for Bridges and Wooden to hold things down in the starting defense. When Puckett returns, though, there could still be an opportunity for a player like Wooden to remain in the primary rotation, assuming he continues to hold off Marquise Gilbert, the top JUCO safety from this year's class.

Breakout player: Caleb Wooden

Wooden is far more than just Colby Wooden's younger brother this spring. He's been a playmaking machine, seemingly grabbing an interception or a fumble at every practice. The former three-star prospect has played like an experienced member of the defense, and might have been the most talked about non-quarterback on the roster this spring.

Wild card: J.D. Rhym

Another name we've heard often from teammates and coaches is Rhym, a four-star freshman who's settled into the backup nickel role behind Kaufman. Assuming Pritchett mostly stays at cornerback, and Puckett remains at safety and doesn't slide down to nickel often, Rhym could be setting himself up for a role this fall. The Tigers are bringing in another blue-chip defensive back this summer, though, in Austin Ausberry, who projects as a corner or nickel.

KICKER

(Adam Sparks / Inside the Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Ben Patton, Evan McGuire

As they did last season following Carlson's injury, walk-ons Patton and McGuire are splitting kicking duties this spring. Punter Oscar Chapman has also kicked a few extra points. During the hour of viewing media received during the first scrimmage, Patton and McGuire missed a combined three field goals.

Injuries: Anders Carlson

With Alex McPherson, the nation's top kicker recruit, set to arrive this summer, Carlson will likely serve as his mentor for at least the first half of the season, as he recovers from a torn ACL. But Carlson is progressing faster than expected, Harsin said, and has even been able to get some kicks up this spring off one leg.

Breakout player: N/A

Wild card: N/A

PUNTER

(Jake Crandall / Syndication: Montgomery Advertiser, USA TODAY Sports)

Starter(s): Oscar Chapman

After one of the best punting seasons in the SEC last year (41.8 net yards per punt), Chapman is a productive special-teams weapon for Auburn entering 2022. The only other punter on the roster is walk-on Marshall Meyers.

Injuries: N/A

Breakout player: N/A

Wild card: N/A

PUNT/KICK RETURN

(Jason Caldwell / Inside The Auburn Tigers)

Starter(s): Tank Bigsby (punt/kick), Jay Fair (punt/kick), Donovan Kaufman (kick), Tar'Varish Dawson (punt), Ja'Varrius Johnson (punt)

The most notable addition to an experienced return squad is Bigsby on the punt team, after the star running back has returned kicks for the past two seasons. Injuries to Hunter and Johnson opened the door for a couple newcomers, too.

 

Injuries: Jarquez Hunter

Breakout player: Jay Fair

Fair not only has been given ample reps in a thin receivers room, but his open-field speed has also allowed the true freshman to get some burn on both return teams.

Wild card: N/A

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