After weeks of looking closely at every practice drill and looking for all the ever-so-slight changes, Auburn released its first official look at a depth chart Monday before the season opener against UMass at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

And there certainly is no time quite like before Auburn even plays a single game of the 2023 season to analyze a depth chart that Hugh Freeze himself called “nonsense” at his press conference Monday.

Okay yeah, there probably are actually a lot better times, but we’re doing it here anyway.

Here are five takeaways from the depth chart Auburn released Monday after the conclusion of the preseason.

1. The curious case of Holden Geriner

How does Geriner fit into a quarterback competition that seemed to ultimately come down to Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford — especially after Freeze said there is a chance both Thorne and Ashford could play this season.

There isn’t a lot that Geriner brings that Auburn isn’t already getting in Throne. Freeze may have called Geriner Auburn’s most talented passer, but he is far behind the rest of the bunch when it comes to experience and Auburn isn’t going to bench Thorne, a good passer in his own right, for Geriner.

So as a result, it was interesting to see Ashford “Or” Geriner listed as the backup to Thorne.

What does that say about what Ashford place in the offense if any might look like? Unclear

But it does seem to give an impression that Geriner was truly in the mix of this competition all the way to the end.

Given the blockades in his way to playing time, it will be up to him to choose if he is willing to sit for another season at Auburn, this time without a redshirt waiting for him.

2. The wide receiver starters don’t matter

Freeze said he didn’t actually make this depth chart himself, and claimed he doesn’t view a player as “first team” or “second team.”

The problem is that somebody has to start.

In no position group is this more evident than the wide receivers. It had long been the route Auburn was looking at was going to include a lot of rotation of a lot of pass catchers. This depth chart signifies that.

Five receivers are listed as starters for three starting spots. They are Jyaire Shorter “OR” Omari Kelly, Jay Fair “OR” Ja’Varrius Johnson as well as Shane Hooks. Koy Moore, Caleb Burton, Camden Brown and Nick Mardner are listed as backups across the three positions.

In many cases, a team may use the word “OR” to list two apparently equivalent players on the depth chart. In some occasions, that is used as a way to not disclose a final decision. In this, Auburn legitimately means it.

All nine receivers listed as starters or backups are going to play at various levels.

This tracks with what Auburn has shown and discussed during the preseason.

Any depth chart should be taken with a grain of salt, but this is especially the case in the wide receiver group.

3. Defensive surprises

Two big surprises stand out on defense.

After a preseason where he hardly had any chatter amid hype for Eugene Asante and Larry Nixon III, Cam Riley looks to have won the starting linebacker job next to Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys.

Riley has lots of experience with Auburn and as he discussed during a media availability last week, could play in both the middle as well as in a pass-rushing role. His versatility may have gotten him the starting job. But after a preseason that from the outside appeared quiet, his spot atop the first depth chart was a bit unexpected.

So too was the inclusion of Griffin Speaks as the backup safety behind Jaylin Simpson.

As a graduate student, Speaks followed Ron Roberts coming over to Auburn from Baylor. But Auburn is more than just a change of scenery on the football field for Speaks. Auburn is home. He grew up in Auburn, played football at Auburn High School. His dad, Tim Speaks, played at Auburn.

And his name hadn’t come up at all during the preseason. Nor was he seen working with the second unit during periods of practice open to media members. That wasn’t a name anyone was anticipating seeing listed on Auburn’s initial two-deep depth chart.

Asked about Speaks inclusion, Freeze didn’t roll out the chance for him to play against UMass on Saturday in his first chance to play at his hometown stadium. Speaks at a minimum will have a role on special teams.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]