Early first-team defense

[aubiefifty 17,487]

oanow.com

 

Spring practice observations: First look at what could be Auburn's first-team defense

Josh Vitale | AU Writer Follow on Twitter Like on Facebook

 

Auburn's defense stretches during the team's first spring practice on Feb. 28, 2017, in Auburn, Ala.

Auburn allowed reporters into practice on Tuesday for the second of four times this spring.

Here are some quick observations:

— John Franklin III was wearing a blue offense jersey instead of an orange quarterback jersey. While the quarterbacks went through throwing drills with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, he went through wide receiver drills with position coach Kodi Burns.

— Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who coach Gus Malzahn announced would be out until after spring break due to offseason hernia surgery, was seen on the field in pads.

— Quarterback Sean White went through throwing drills during the open portion of practice, something he did not do last Tuesday. Jarrett Stidham remained the first-team quarterback, while Woody Barrett ran the second team.

— Auburn's first-team offense remained mostly the same, other than replacing an H-back with a fourth wide receiver:

QB Jarrett Stidham, RB Kerryon Johnson, WR Jason Smith, WR Nate Craig-Myers, WR Eli Stove, WR Will Hastings, LT Darius James, LG Marquel Harrell, C Austin Golson, RG Mike Horton, RT Braden Smith.

— Auburn's second-team offense was as follows:

QB Woody Barrett, RB Malik Miller, WR Marquis McClain, WR Griffin King, WR Ryan Davis, WR James Owens Moss, LT Prince Tega Wanogho, LG Tucker Brown, C Kaleb Kim, RG Tyler Carr, RT Bailey Sharp.

— Running back Kamryn Pettway did not take the field for team drills but did do individual drills and caught passes from quarterbacks.

— Auburn's first-team defense was as follows:

BUCK Jeff Holland, DT Derrick Brown, DT Andrew Williams, DE Marlon Davidson, LB Deshaun Davis, LB Montavious Atkinson, CB Carlton Davis, CB Javaris Davis, NICKEL Jeremiah Dinson, S Stephen Roberts, S Tray Matthews.

— Auburn's second-team defense:

BUCK Tre' Threat, DT Antwuan Jackson Jr., DT Dontavius Russell, DE Gary Walker, LB Darrell Williams, LB Tre' Williams/Chandler Wooten, CB Marlon Character Jr., CB John Broussard, Jr. NICKEL Daniel Thomas, S Nick Ruffin, S Michael Sherwood.

— On special teams, Ian Shannon handled the punting duties, while Stephen Roberts, Ryan Davis, Eli Stove and Griffin King worked as the return men.

— Former Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson, wide receiver Marcus Davis and left tackle Robert Leff were at practice. The Tigers' Pro Day is Friday.

 

[lca408 375]

Very interesting to see D. Russell with the 2nd team. He's been a starter for 2 straight years. Guess Andrew Williams has gotten even better than last year. Also assume that if healthy, Nick Coe would be listed at 2nd team DE instead of Walker, even though Walker is actually a solid walk-on. Also interesting that Wooten is challenging a senior former 5-star Tre Williams for the 2nd string LB spot.

Then of course, there's Paul James and Byron Cowart..............

[bigbird 60,624]

I like Dinson at nickle

[auburnphan 6,050]

It was noted that these line ups were not the 1st and 2nd team defenses, just working on mixing and matching guys in.

 

agree on Dinson

[kd4au 1,145]

Hope Ashley can come in and be good enough to move Smith back to guard,afraid Smith might be a step to slow at tackle for the speed rushers.

[Auhud08 596]

Seems like there is much more professionalism going on in spring this year. Dont hear too much positive or negative seems like they all want to get better

[AUwent 3,784]

Where's Bubba?

[lionheartkc 6,150]

22 minutes ago, AUwent said:

Where's Bubba?

He's a known commodity. We'll see him after assessment period is over.  We just have too many good backs to get them all out there, so Chip needs to focus on the ones he has the least film on.