Observations from Week 2 of Auburn football spring practice
Auburn football is now in its second full week of spring practice after officially getting things started March 25.
Tuesday morning was the second practice open to the media so far this spring, and the only practice the media will be able to view this week.
The gathered media was able to watch all of practice — about two hours — including drills, position work, seven-on-seven and full 11-on-11 team periods.
Here’s what we saw at Tuesday’s practice:
Position breakdowns
- A number of players remain out, including contributors such as Keldric Faulk, Connor Lew, Xavier Chaplin, Durell Robinson, Bryce Cain, Hollis Davidson and others. Demarcus Riddick practiced Tuesday, but was in a gold non-contact jersey.
- The first team offensive line for the time being seems to be (left to right) Izavion Miller, Dillon Wade, Bradyn Joiner, Jeremiah Wright and Mason Murphy. Wright didn’t practice during last week’s open practice but was available Tuesday morning.
- On the defensive line, Amaris Williams was the primary first team defensive end and Keyron Crawford was the primary buck. On the interior, Malik Blocton and Dallas Walker IV rotated with Quientrail Jamison-Travis and Zykeivous Walker. Those four seem to make up the top group inside and are pretty interchangeable.
- Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee remain the first team starters at corner, with Miami (OH) transfer Raion Strader running primarily with the second team.
- During the live team period at the end, Kaleb Harris and Jahquez Robinson were the first team safeties with Sylvester Smith at nickel.
- Robert Woodyard Jr. took the first team reps at middle linebacker, next to LSU transfer Xavier Atkins and true freshman Elijah Melendez who rotated alongside him. Freshman Bryce Deas is another young player to watch at linebacker.
- Damari Alston took a lot of the first team reps at running back, with Jeremiah Cobb next in line. True freshman Alvin Henderson hasn’t seen many first team reps yet, but he’s already breaking off some good runs in practice.
- Auburn’s wide receivers have rotated, with Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr., Horatio Fields and Malcolm Simmons being the primary targets.
- Brandon Frazier took most of the first team reps at tight end, with Maryland transfer Preston Howard behind him.
- Jackson Arnold remains the first team quarterback, with Deuce Knight running with the second team.
Other notes
- Sam Turner continues to impress, making plays both in one-on-ones and in the team periods. The two plays that stood out were a rep he won against fellow freshman Blake Woodby in one-on-ones and a touchdown on a deep post against Lee during a team period.
- Another note at wide receiver, Fields’ size seems to be a good addition to the room. He gives Auburn an extra threat in the redzone, but also looked good as a physical blocker on the outside.
- Unsurprisingly, Singleton already looks like he can be a difference maker right away at receiver. His speed and elusiveness after the catch makes him hard to contain.
- Henderson hasn’t quite cracked the first team yet, but he’s already impressing with some nice runs in the team periods.
- Both of Auburn’s starting corners had some good moments. Crawford had a good rep against Coleman in one-on-one drills and Lee had a nice pass breakup against Coleman on a jump ball during the third down period.
- Anquon Fegans is already making plays in the secondary, nearly coming down with an interception during one of the team periods.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m