toddc 13,194 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 I will add more as they come out! Look ahead: Offensive line AUBURN | Hugh Freeze and offensive line coach Jake Thornton inherited a mess on Auburn’s offensive line. Fourteen months later, it’s become a team strength and the future looks even brighter. The Tigers will enter spring drills with 14 scholarship offensive linemen and one more due to report at the end of May. Lew was a huge late flip from Miami by Freeze and Thornton. (Brett Rojo/USA Today images) Auburn had nine scholarship offensive lineman available when Freeze was hired but four transferred out. Thornton quickly made up the deficit by bringing in five transfers, three of which had multiple years of eligibility left, and adding some key late signees including freshman Connor Lew and junior college standout Izavion Miller. AU ended the season with Lew, Miller, Dylan Wade, Gunner Britton and Kam Stutts as the starters. Four were newcomers and three return for this season. Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… LT: Sr. Percy Lewis, RFr. Tyler Johnson, TFr. Favour Edwin LG: Sr. Dillon Wade, So. E.J. Harris -OR- RFr. Dylan Senda C: So. Connor Lew, Jr. Tate Johnson, RFr. Bradyn Joiner RG: Jr. Jaden Muskrat -OR- Jr. Jeremiah Wright, TFr. DeAndre Carter** RT: Sr. Izavion Miller, So. Seth Wilfred, RFr. Clay Wedin Breaking it down by position… TACKLE Auburn has six legitimate tackle bodies on the team after the previous two staffs signed just one tackle over the five years before Freeze and Thornton arrived. Lewis was a big addition from the portal allowing Wade, last year’s starting left tackle, to move to guard. While Lewis is projected as the starter at left tackle, Tyler Johnson should provide plenty of competition as one of AU’s most improved players. Miller has the potential to take a big step forward with a full year in AU’s offseason program. Edwin and Wilfred have the look of future starters and Wedin made impressive gains in the weight room during his redshirt season. GUARD Wade should thrive at guard where he has NFL potential. One of the best competitions on the team should come at the other guard position between Muskrat and Wright. And don’t rule out one of the young guards like Harris or Senda taking a big step forward during the offseason. Carter, who enrolls in May, has the look of a future starting guard. CENTER Lew took over the starting job as a true freshman last fall and is poised to be AU’s starting center for at least the next two seasons. Tate Johnson brings a lot of experience as a backup center or guard and Joiner made strides in the offseason. Look ahead: Defensive line AUBURN | It’s one of the biggest concerns on the defensive side of the ball. Auburn’s defensive line must replace one key starter and three key backups from last season. In addition, three young defensive linemen transferred out in December. The Tigers made some big additions too, bringing in two transfers in Trill Carter from Texas and Gage Keys from Kansas, and enrolling all three of their 2024 defensive line signees. Jones brings a lot of experience to the noseguard position. (Austin Perryman/Auburn athletics) Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… DE: So. Keldric Faulk, TFr. Amaris Williams -OR- TFr. T.J. Lindsey NG: Sr. Jayson Jones -OR- Sr. Trill Carter, Jr. Quientrail Jamison-Travis DT: Jr. Zykeivous Walker -OR- Jr. Gage Keys, RFr. Darron Reed, TFr. Malik Blocton Breaking it down by position… DEFENSIVE END Faulk was AU’s top signee in the 2023 class and ended the season as the starting defensive end. Williams and Lindsey are two of the highest-rated signees in the ’24 class and should be able to help out right away, especially with a full offseason in Auburn. With a sophomore and two true freshmen, however, defensive end will be one of the least experienced positions on the team. NOSEGUARD Jones has played in 25 career games since transferring from Oregon and Carter has played in 46 career games at Texas and Minnesota giving AU plenty of experience at the position. Jamison-Travis played in just three games last season after transferring from junior college. He could be poised to make a bigger contribution with a strong offseason. Any of the three could slide over to defensive tackle to add depth or even start. DEFENSIVE TACKLE This position is pretty wide open this spring and could probably use the addition of another transfer with starting experience. Walker played in 13 games as a backup last season while Keys has 19 games of experience at Kansas and Minnesota. This could be a very important offseason for Reed, who has the potential to push for a starting position. Blocton is a talented and hard-working early enrollee in the mold of his brother Marcus Harris, who has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Harris totaled 97 tackles, 23.5 tackles-for-loss and 11 sacks as AU’s starting defensive tackle over the last three seasons. Look ahead: Linebacker AUBURN | Auburn returns all three starters at linebacker but most of the depth is young and experienced. The position got a big boost this January with three freshman signees from the 2024 class enrolling early. Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… Asante will be a key team leader for Auburn in 2024. (Zach Bland/Auburn athletics) JLB: Sr. Jalen McLeod, RFr. Brenton Williams, TFr. Jamonta Waller MLB: Sr. Austin Keys, Sr. Dorian Mausi, So. Robert Woodyard -OR_ TFr. D.J. Barber WLB: Sr. Eugene Asante, Sr. Wesley Steiner, TFr. Demarcus Riddick -OR- TFr. Joe Phillips Breaking it down by position… JACK LINEBACKER Getting McLeod back was huge for the position. He was second on the team last season with 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks. He also third on the team with 48.0 tackles, which is impressive for a position whose primary responsibility is rushing the passer. The key for AU will be keeping McLeod healthy and developing some depth behind him. He is a key for the defense. It’s hard to know what to expect from Williams, who redshirted last season, but the staff believes he’s ready to take a step forward and be a part of the playing rotation this fall. It will be an important offseason for him. Flipping Waller from Florida and getting him enrolled was a big development for this position. He has the potential to make an immediate impact. If the right player is available, this is a position that could use a boost from the spring portal period. Another possibility is moving Phillips to Jack. MIKE LINEBACKER The defense was better last season when Keys was heathy and having an experienced and talented veteran in the middle of the defense is a boost. He missed five games last season. He defends the run and the pass well and is important in getting everyone lined up correctly. Mausi was a big addition, taking some of the pressure off Keys and giving AU's young linebacker more time to develop. Mausi should be an important part of the playing rotation and is a potential starter. Injuries have slowed Woodyard’s development and this will be a key offseason to see if he can earn a spot in the rotation. Barber is very talented and built to be an SEC middle linebacker. He should push for playing time right away. WILL LINEBACKER Asante returns as Auburn’s leading tackler from last year and a leading playmaker with 86 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. He’s also a key team leader. There’s more proven depth at this position with Steiner, who played in all 13 games last season, and the two freshmen — Riddick and Phillips. Steiner is steady while Riddick and Phillips are extremely athletic and just lack experience. Getting those two in early should be a boost to their development. Riddick looks like a prototypical Will while Phillips has the frame to play any of the three linebacker positions. Look ahead: Wide receiver AUBURN | No position at Auburn is undergoing a bigger transition during the offseason than wide receiver. Four wideouts left and two arrived via the transfer portal. AU also added two signees that enrolled in January with two more coming at the end of May. Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… Fair is Auburn's top returning wideout from last season. (Andrew Nelles/USA Today images) WR1: Sr. Robert Lewis, Sr. Koy Moore, Sr. Sam Jackson V, TFr. Malcolm Simmons*** SLOT: Jr. Jay Fair, So. Caleb Burton III -OR- TFr. Bryce Cain WR2: TFr. Cam Coleman, Jr. Camden Brown, TFr. Perry Thompson*** Breaking it down by position… WIDE RECEIVER The position should be wide open this spring and continue to be that way into the first few weeks of fall drills. It’ll be hard to keep Coleman, the highest-rated signee in Auburn’s 2024 class, off the field. Getting hm in early should be a big boost to AU’s offense this fall. Lewis, a Georgia State transfer, should compete for a starting spot right away. Jackson, a California transfer, is transitioning from quarterback so it may take until fall before he can make a serious push for a spot in the playing rotation. Moore and Brown bring the most SEC experience to the position and don’t rule out Thompson making a push for a starting spot this fall. SLOT RECEIVER Fair led AU’s receivers with 31 catches last season and will be a favorite to win a starting position. However, Burton came on at the end of last season and Cain brings plenty of big-play ability. This position is more settled than outside but that does’t mean Burton and/or Cain won't push for a starting job. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aucanucktiger 1,794 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 IMO starters barring injury are pretty obvious at most positions going into spring and most of those guys are SEC mid-pack caliber good. Depth is a concern everywhere. This may be our most surprisingly improved WR grp (esp blocking) and surprsingly bad Dline in recent memory. Player attitude was SO much better in '23, I hope we have leaders in '24 because we'll still have 2d string/frustration (read: portal-angst) issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCAubs 376 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Whoever gave this thread a one star should be banned and have their nuts ripped off. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU120289 379 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 18 minutes ago, NCAubs said: Whoever gave this thread a one star should be banned and have their nuts ripped off. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCAubs 376 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 20 minutes ago, AU120289 said: Was it you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryland tiger 616 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 14 hours ago, NCAubs said: Was it you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCAubs 376 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 2 hours ago, maryland tiger said: Don’t touch my stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUpreacherman22 3,885 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 OL and LB are much better off than we were a year or two ago! Still not where we want to be, but miles closer than we were. WR has a lot of young potential! DL scares me! We really need a couple of very good DL transfers in the Spring window. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick.AU 13,279 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 I will say, I hope jones finally learns to use his massive size, he's hasn't been up to par imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle 3,912 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Man the DL needs help. There’s a lot of promise/potential but barely any experience. The coaches have to hit the portal for some experience for the next portal opening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUwent 3,748 Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 (edited) Alright, this seems to be the most active thread on the subject. So with that in mind, I looked at how ESPN ranked six of our opponents in its early top 25. I'm not mad that we're unranked, my focus here is more on the sentiment that year 3 is when we take a leap. But how are we going to do that if we're full of seniors this year? For example it's hard for me to be enthusiastic about that Lewis guy for this very reason. Edited February 14 by AUwent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddc 13,194 Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 Look ahead: Cornerback/nickel AUBURN | Auburn must replace both starting cornerbacks from last season but received a boost with the return of Keionte Scott for his senior season. The Tigers have signed a dozen defensive backs in the last two classes so expect a lot of competition and perhaps some young players stepping up to win key positions throughout the secondary. Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… Scott will be a key defender, punt returner and team leader for 2024. (Austin Perryman/Auburn athletics) CB: Sr. Keionte Scott, So. Antonio Kite, RFr. Tyler Scott, RFr. Colton Hood CB: So. Kayin Lee -OR- So. J.D. Rhym, RFr. JC Hart, TFr. Jay Crawford NB: Jr. Champ Anthony, Jr. Caleb Wooden, RFr. Sylvester Smith Breaking it down by position… CORNERBACK There is a lot of versatility in the secondary and several of the cornerbacks could end up playing nickel. Keionte Scott is the leader of the group. He’s been AUs’ starting nickel the past two seasons but has made a “permanent” move to corner for his final college season. He's also the team's top punt returner. Lee started the first three games of the season for an injured Nehemiah Pritchett and then started the bowl game. It’ll be interesting to see how Kite, an Alabama transfer, and Rhym fit in. Either could play nickel or challenge Lee for a starting position. Tyler Scott, Hood and Hart all redshirted as true freshman last fall and will have a chance to win a spot in the playing rotation in year two. Crawford enrolled in January and has the potential to play corner or nickel. NICKEL Anthony, a late JUCO addition last year, was one of the biggest surprises from the 2023 class playing in all 13 games last fall. He has good coverage skills and plays a lot tougher than his size might suggest. He could also play corner. Both Wooden and Smith are expected to compete at safety and nickel as secondary coaches Wesley McGriff and Charles Kelly work to identify their starters and key backups. If AU struggles at the position or is hit by injuries, Scott could always move back. He established himself as one of the SEC’s best nickels over the previous two seasons. Spring practice begins Feb. 27 and the A-Day game is April 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddc 13,194 Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 Look ahead: Running back AUBURN | Auburn returns its entire backfield intact at the running back position. That includes senior Brian Battie, who entered the transfer portal in December, but elected to return. The position is also boosted by a former and current walk-on. Hunter had 67- and 56-yard touchdown runs at Vanderbilt. (Zach Bland/Auburn athletics) Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… RB: Sr. Jarquez Hunter, Jr. Damari Alston -OR- Sr. Brian Battie, So. Jeremiah Cobb, Jr. Sean Jackson, Jr. Justin Jones Breaking it down… RUNNING BACK Hunter returns as the starter after gaining 909 yards and scoring seven touchdowns on 159 carries. In eight conference games, he totaled 748 yards, which ranks fifth in the league, and six touchdowns. It’s not out of the question that Alston or perhaps even Battie could push him for the starting position, but it’s more likely they'll fill important backup roles. Alston had 320 yards and two touchdowns, and Battie 227 and one last season. One of the “problems” with AU’s depth is it limits the opportunities for Cobb, who could have the biggest upside of any running back on the roster. Cobb rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries as a true freshman last year. He also caught seven passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson, a former walk-on, and Jones, a current walk-on, are reliable backups and important practice players. Spring practice begins Feb. 27 and the A-Day game is April 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,525 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 22 hours ago, toddc said: Look ahead: Cornerback/nickel AUBURN | Auburn must replace both starting cornerbacks from last season but received a boost with the return of Keionte Scott for his senior season. The Tigers have signed a dozen defensive backs in the last two classes so expect a lot of competition and perhaps some young players stepping up to win key positions throughout the secondary. Here’s a look at a potential depth chart for 2024… Scott will be a key defender, punt returner and team leader for 2024. (Austin Perryman/Auburn athletics) CB: Sr. Keionte Scott, So. Antonio Kite, RFr. Tyler Scott, RFr. Colton Hood CB: So. Kayin Lee -OR- So. J.D. Rhym, RFr. JC Hart, TFr. Jay Crawford NB: Jr. Champ Anthony, Jr. Caleb Wooden, RFr. Sylvester Smith Breaking it down by position… CORNERBACK There is a lot of versatility in the secondary and several of the cornerbacks could end up playing nickel. Keionte Scott is the leader of the group. He’s been AUs’ starting nickel the past two seasons but has made a “permanent” move to corner for his final college season. He's also the team's top punt returner. Lee started the first three games of the season for an injured Nehemiah Pritchett and then started the bowl game. It’ll be interesting to see how Kite, an Alabama transfer, and Rhym fit in. Either could play nickel or challenge Lee for a starting position. Tyler Scott, Hood and Hart all redshirted as true freshman last fall and will have a chance to win a spot in the playing rotation in year two. Crawford enrolled in January and has the potential to play corner or nickel. NICKEL Anthony, a late JUCO addition last year, was one of the biggest surprises from the 2023 class playing in all 13 games last fall. He has good coverage skills and plays a lot tougher than his size might suggest. He could also play corner. Both Wooden and Smith are expected to compete at safety and nickel as secondary coaches Wesley McGriff and Charles Kelly work to identify their starters and key backups. If AU struggles at the position or is hit by injuries, Scott could always move back. He established himself as one of the SEC’s best nickels over the previous two seasons. Spring practice begins Feb. 27 and the A-Day game is April 6. I think it will end up being... CB: Lee and Kite NB: KScott 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey 16,598 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 23 hours ago, toddc said: RUNNING BACK Hunter returns as the starter after gaining 909 yards and scoring seven touchdowns on 159 carries. In eight conference games, he totaled 748 yards, which ranks fifth in the league, and six touchdowns. It’s not out of the question that Alston or perhaps even Battie could push him for the starting position, but it’s more likely they'll fill important backup roles. Alston had 320 yards and two touchdowns, and Battie 227 and one last season. One of the “problems” with AU’s depth is it limits the opportunities for Cobb, who could have the biggest upside of any running back on the roster. Cobb rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries as a true freshman last year. He also caught seven passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson, a former walk-on, and Jones, a current walk-on, are reliable backups and important practice players. I don't see how Cobb doesn't pass Battie on the depth chart. What little we saw of Cobb, he's simply better. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autan 737 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 With my untrained eye, Cobb seems like the most impressive all round back. But I trust our Coaches. They see them every day. Who knows? Coach Nix may adjust the depth chart after Spring. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArgoEagle 1,788 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 3 hours ago, Mikey said: I don't see how Cobb doesn't pass Battie on the depth chart. What little we saw of Cobb, he's simply better. I agree Mikey. Battie reminds me of Ontario a few years back. Fast, but can't really run him inside the hashes bc he goes down fairly easily. He is more of a toss sweep, jet sweep, screen pass back to me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aubiefifty 16,791 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 On 2/8/2024 at 7:52 PM, NCAubs said: Was it you? come by the house big shooter and i will give you a gummy. and i am stingy with my hoobie........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCAubs 376 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, aubiefifty said: come by the house big shooter and i will give you a gummy. and i am stingy with my hoobie........ I had a bad experience last time I had a gummy (or was it three?) I will stick to cornbread and pot likker. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aubiefifty 16,791 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 1 minute ago, NCAubs said: I had a bad experience last time I had a gummy (or was it three?) I will stick to cornbread and pot likker. i take a third and it tears me up. i have smoke over fifty years with no problem. moderation sometimes is your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUwent 3,748 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 (edited) Gonna be honest, a little frustrated no one has addressed my question earlier. -.- Edited February 18 by AUwent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aujohnson 299 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 8 minutes ago, AUwent said: Gonna be honest, a little frustrated no one has addressed my question earlier. -.- I think the easy answer is the guys we are bringing in have a higher ceiling than the guys we are losing. To plug depth holes, I think we will continue to add to both lines through the portal based on what we’ve seen so far. The optimism though is from our recruited high schoolers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUwent 3,748 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 (edited) 2 hours ago, aujohnson said: I think the easy answer is the guys we are bringing in have a higher ceiling than the guys we are losing. To plug depth holes, I think we will continue to add to both lines through the portal based on what we’ve seen so far. The optimism though is from our recruited high schoolers. Yeah, I think year 4 is really when we make a run. But we're going to have to show improvement between that--can't be like, say, Drinkwitz's first three years. Edited February 18 by AUwent 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUwent 3,748 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 (edited) Sorry to double post, but Edward nails it here. Edited February 20 by AUwent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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