Observations from Auburn’s 1st day of spring practice under Hugh Freeze
Auburn took to the practice field Monday for the first time under head coach Hugh Freeze and for the first time officially in the team’s new digs at the Woltosz Football Performance Center.
The Tigers opened spring practice Monday afternoon, the first of 15 practices over the next six weeks leading up to the A-Day spring game on April 8. Local media were granted a 20-minute viewing period on Day 1 of practice, providing the first glimpse of the Tigers as they enter a new era under Freeze.
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During that 20-minute period, Auburn worked on individual position drills. Like last year, media were asked not to report on any injuries or absences, personnel-wise from practice. Those will be addressed by Freeze later Monday evening, when he holds his first press conference of the spring shortly after 6 p.m.
With that being said, here are a few observations from Day 1 of spring practice:
— The offensive line worked in three groups with position coach Jake Thornton at the start of the viewing period. The first unit, from left to right, featured Dillon Wade at left tackle, Tate Johnson at left guard, Avery Jones at center, Kameron Stutts at right guard and Gunner Britton at right tackle. It’s not a big surprise that the Tigers’ three transfer additions — Wade (Tulsa), Jones (ECU) and Britton (WKU) — are getting some early first-team reps.
— The second group across the offensive line, from left to right, included walk-on Evan Richards, Jeremiah Wright, freshman Connor Lew, E.J. Harris and Izavion Miller. The third rotation saw Colby Smith, freshman Bradyn Joiner, Cort Bradley, freshman Clay Wedin and Garner Langlo.
— Cadillac Williams worked with the running backs on footwork and ball security early in the period. Jarquez Hunter was first up in drills, followed by sophomore Damari Alston, USF transfer Brian Battie, Sean Jackson, Justin Jones and Luke Reebals.
— The quarterbacks worked with the wide receivers and tight ends during the first portion of the viewing period. Two quarterbacks took reps simultaneously, with pairs of receivers running split routes. Robby Ashford and T.J. Finley were the first quarterback pairing, followed by redshirt freshman Holden Geriner and walk-on Sawyer Pate.
— The first two wide receiver pairings featured Camden Brown and Ja’Varrius Johnson, and Koy Moore and Nick Mardner. FIU tight end transfer Rivaldo Fairweather also rotated in with that first group. Tar’Varish Dawson and Landen King were in the second rotation, with King working at the X-receiver spot on the outside and Dawson in the slot.
— This should be obvious, considering he’s listed at 6-foot-6, but Mardner’s length is really noticeable out there. Fairweather, listed at 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, is another massive target who should add a new dynamic to Auburn’s offense. Brown, who has switched from No. 17 to No. 4, looks as impressive as he did during fall camp last year. Will be interesting to track how much of a factor he becomes this offseason.
— Jay Fair made a nice one-handed grab on a route to the sideline that garnered a reaction from offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery.
— Wesley McGriff spent the period working with Auburn’s cornerbacks, while Zac Etheridge focused his time on the safeties. The two will work in tandem to coach the defensive backs this season, but it was interesting to see how they split their duties during this individual period.
— Nehemiah Pritchett, D.J. James and J.D. Rhym were the first three corners up in the rotation with McGriff.
— Jaylin Simpson and Zion Puckett led the rotation at safety with Etheridge’s group, with Cayden Bridges and Marquis Gilbert behind them. Caleb Wooden also rotated in with these pairings.
— Josh Aldridge worked with the linebackers in pairings during the individual drills. Wesley Steiner and Eugene Asante were paired together. Cam Riley and Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys were paired. Jake Levant and Robert Woodyard Jr. were paired together. Powell Gordon and Desmond Tisdol were paired up, and LSU transfer DeMario Tolan was paired with Kameron Brown.
— Former tight end John Samuel Shenker was in attendance at practice.
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.