What we learned about each position on Auburn’s offense this spring
Spring is a time for learning. That was especially so for Auburn this year after an offseason of change — from a new coaching staff installing a new system to personnel changes throughout the roster.
Auburn spent the last six weeks getting accustomed to this new era on the Plains, as Hugh Freeze and his staff guided the Tigers through their first spring together. Auburn is very much still a work in progress heading into Freeze’s first season, but the team’s 15 practices since the end of February provided a solid foundation to build on in the coming months. Players are getting a base understanding of the offensive and defensive schemes, as well as what to expect from their new coaches, while Freeze and Co. got their first opportunity to closely evaluate the roster position by position.
Read more Auburn football: Projecting Auburn’s post-spring 2023 depth chart
Revisiting five key spring position battles for Auburn
The Tigers’ players and coaches weren’t the only ones learning this spring. Thanks to open viewing windows during each Monday practice, interviews with Freeze and every assistant on staff, as well as interviews with a plethora of players, we learned a lot about this new-look Auburn team over the last six weeks, as well as an idea of what to expect come fall.
So, with spring in the books, let’s take a look at what we learned about each position on Auburn’s offense. Tomorrow, we’ll examine defense and special teams.
Quarterback
What we learned: Auburn’s quarterback competition is going to carry into fall camp after Robby Ashford, T.J. Finley and Holden Geriner view for the starting job throughout the spring. There was good and bad from the trio this spring, and the position was clearly the biggest work in progress in Freeze’s estimation, as the quarterbacks required an adjusted approach from coaches mid-spring to help them better comprehend the RPO aspect of the offense. Freeze hasn’t ruled out adding another quarterback to the mix during the post-spring transfer portal window (April 15-30), but for now, Ashford should be considered the leader in the clubhouse to earn the starting job in fall camp considering he was the first quarterback on the field to open and close spring practices.
Running back
What we learned: Auburn may have lost Tank Bigsby to the NFL, but the Tigers are in a good spot with their running backs. Jarquez Hunter, after averaging 6.5 yards per carry in his first two seasons, is primed to take over the lead role and had Freeze call him the best running back he has ever coached — before ever actually coaching him in a game. Damari Alston, meanwhile, surprised Freeze with his ability this spring, and South Florida transfer Brian Battie brings another dimension to the rushing attack. Cadillac Williams is understandably excited about this group, which should be the strength of the offense entering the fall.
Tight end
What we learned: Auburn’s depth at tight end is solid, made even more so by the addition of FIU transfer Rivaldo Fairweathr, a big-bodied receiving threat with an impressive catch radius and who quickly found himself working with the first-team offense. Fairweather was Auburn’s most consistent receiving option throughout the spring, while the tight end room overall — with seniors Luke Deal and Tyler Fromm — was praised throughout the spring for its leadership and being at the forefront of setting the culture for the program in Freeze’s first spring.
Wide receivers
What we learned: Let’s group the entire receiver room together here instead of going position by position within the receiving corps, which has changed its labeling system from the X, Y, H and Z format of the previous staff to a number-based system, with 1 and 4 representing the outside receivers, and 2 and 3 used for inside receiver designations. Auburn’s wide receivers — like its quarterbacks — took some time to come along this spring, and the position was slowed by some injuries (Camden Brown dealt with an ankle and Malcolm Johnson Jr. was sidelined with a collarbone injury, for example).
The Tigers’ passing game remains a work in progress, and it didn’t help much that A-Day provided suboptimal conditions to work on the passing attack. Marcus Davis is confident his group will get there with consistent reps, but it’s going to take some time. Brown, once fully healthy, has the look of a go-to receiver in the room, and Cincinnati transfer Nick Mardner — at 6-foot-6 — brings some needed length to the position, while Ja’Varrius Johnson and Jay Fair were the Tigers’ two most consistent receivers this spring.
Left tackle
What we learned: Auburn needed an upgrade at both tackle spots, and it certainly got one at left tackle, where Tulsa transfer Dillon Wade swiftly made himself at home with the first-team offense. Wade, who previously started at tackle in Philip Montgomery’s offense at Tulsa, is a bit smaller in stature for an SEC offensive tackle — he’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds — but he has good athleticism and impressive footwork and technique with his hands that make him a great fit as the Tigers’ new starter at left tackle.
Left guard
What we learned: Jeremiah Wright worked at both guard spots this spring, and it feels like he’s a lock to start at one of them. On A-Day he got the nod at right guard, but when he spoke to the media earlier in the spring, he spoke about the connection he built while playing at left guard next to Wade at left tackle. The 6-foot-5, 345-pound Wright has bounced back and forth from offense to defense a handful of times during his career but is at home now on the offensive line, where Auburn believes he can be one of the more dominant linemen in the SEC this season. If he isn’t the choice at left guard (and instead switches to the right side), watch out for freshman Connor Lew, who impressed throughout spring and got first-team reps there on A-Day.
Center
What we learned: Auburn found itself another plug-and-play transfer to anchor the middle of its offensive line, as ECU transfer Avery Jones worked with the first-team offense throughout the spring and on A-Day. Jones has just one year of eligibility and looks to make the most of it in the middle of Auburn’s retooled offensive line. He brings a good deal of experience and a calming, consistent presence at an important position. His addition to the room has also allowed Tate Johnson, who started last season at center before an injury cut his campaign short, to kick out and compete at guard.
Right guard
What we learned: Speaking of Johnson, he spent spring competing for one of the starting guard spots, and despite initially being ruled out in March due to a dislocated elbow, he returned to the fold and was able to remain in the mix. He did not participate on A-Day, which paved the way for Wright to start at right guard and Lew to slot in on the left side. Johnson was lauded throughout the spring by Freeze for his leadership, and he’ll have a chance to earn a starting job again when healthy — but look out for Lew, an impressive freshman who has what it takes to provide needed depth immediately, if not compete for a starting job as a true freshman.
Right tackle
What we learned: Like it did with Wade on the left side of the line, Auburn went out and got a plug-and-play transfer to fill its need at right tackle in the former of Western Kentucky transfer Gunner Britton. The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder received first-team reps from Day 1, and he closed the spring as the starter at right tackle on A-Day. While Britton will have a tight grip on the starting job come fall, be on the lookout for junior college transfer Izavion Miller, who primarily got second-team reps at right tackle but could be a valuable next-man-up on the offensive line with versatility to play multiple positions.
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.