aubiefifty 17,488 Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Which Auburn freshmen will play, redshirt in 2017? Posted August 28, 2017 at 07:00 AM | Updated August 28, 2017 at 07:02 AM 1 share Comment Which Auburn freshmen will contribute this season and which ones will redshirt? With game week finally here, AL.com takes a look at which Auburn freshmen are likely to see the field this fall and which members of the 2017 class are expected to redshirt this season and further develop. By Tom Green/tgreen@al.com Julie Bennett Tashawn Manning, defensive tackle After having his enrollment delayed following a battle with cancer, Manning arrived on campus in the spring and was cleared to practice. Despite that, the freshman won't fit into Auburn's desired 10-man rotation along the defensive line this season, giving him an extra year to develop. Julie Bennett What we've written about Tashawn Manning Foot injury slows Tashawn Manning during spring Watch Auburn cancer survivors in first practice Manning cleared for spring practices Cancer survivor Manning joins Auburn's early enrollees on campus Now cancer free, Auburn like "coming back home again" for Manning Nick Brahms, center Brahms arrived at Auburn as a highly touted interior lineman, and although he was an early enrollee, a broken leg prevented him from doing too much in the spring. It's hard for any freshman offensive lineman to come in and contribute immediately, but the injury and Auburn's depth at both guard and center mean Brahms is a near lock to redshirt this season. Julie Bennett What we've written about Nick Brahms Auburn early enrollee Nick Brahms out for spring, expected back for fall camp How Gus Malzahn assessed Auburn's offensive line haul in 2017 class Brahms brings versatility to interior of Auburn's offensive line Julie Bennett Brodarious Hamm, right guard Hamm enrolled in classes last fall but wasn't cleared to join the team until the spring following a battle with cancer. He currently sits at the bottom of Auburn's depth chart at right guard, so he will redshirt this season to give him more time to develop into an SEC-caliber lineman. What we've written about Brodarious Hamm Watch Auburn cancer survivors in first practice Cancer survivor Hamm cleared for spring practice Hamm enrolls at Auburn after battle with cancer Photo courtesy 247Sports/Laura Goldman graphic Bill Taylor, long snapper Taylor was originally going to blueshirt this season before Auburn put him on scholarship from the outset. Still, with Ike Powell cemented as Auburn's long snapper, Taylor won't see the field this season unless there's a true emergency. What we've written about Bill Taylor Snapper Bill Taylor goes from blueshirt to signee Meet the Tigers: Bill Taylor, America's fastest long snapper Photo courtesy 247Sports/Laura Goldman graphic Anders Carlson, kicker Auburn's plan all along has been to redshirt Carlson and have him follow the same route his brother, Daniel Carlson, has taken at Auburn. That plan seemed in question for a time this summer, when Auburn coaches informed Anders Carlson to work on his punting -- just in case he needed to compete for the job this season. But with Ian Shannon locking that down and Daniel Carlson handling kicking duties, Anders Carlson will wait in the wings as his brother's heir. What we've written about Anders Carlson Auburn signs nation's No. 1 kicker Auburn hopes to redshirt Carlson Season with older brother Daniel will be special for Anders Carlson Bob Gathany Austin Troxell, left guard Again, it's hard for most freshmen to see the field on the offensive line. At Auburn this season, it's even more difficult given the experienced depth the Tigers have up front. Add in the fact that Troxell is coming off an ACL injury, and redshirting is the proper course of action for the former Madison Academy star. What we've written about Austin Troxell How Gus Malzahn assessed Auburn's offensive line haul on signing day How soon Austin Troxell could practice after senior season knee injury? Troxell adds size, talent to Auburn's offensive line JaTarvious Whitlow, running back Once Whitlow was moved from wide receiver to running back, it became evident Auburn planned to redshirt him this season. The Tigers have a wealth of depth in the backfield with Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson cemented as the top two running backs, and Malik Miller, Kam Martin and Devan Barrett competing for the third spot. Not to mention Whitlow sustained an ankle injury that left him questionable for the opener. What we've written about JaTarvious Whitlow Auburn freshman JaTarvious Whitlow could "possibly" miss opener due to injury Why Auburn moved Whitlow from wide receiver to running back Whitlow could see time at running back Whitlow's second wind What Chip Lindsey first saw in Whitlow Julie Bennett Alec Jackson, defensive lineman Jackson, the former three-star defensive end out of Montgomery, is a fringe player for Auburn this season. He's the third defensive end behind Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe, and he's possibly the second nose tackle behind Dontavius Russell. It's possible he fits into the 10-man rotation up front this season, with playing time potentially increasing as the season progresses and he gets more accustomed to college ball. What we've written about Alec Jackson Rodney Garner pleased with the progress of freshman Alec Jackson Meet the Tigers: Jackson a huge addition to Auburn's defensive line Jackson gave Auburn a Christmas Day commitment Photo courtesy 247Sports/Laura Goldman graphic Traivon Leonard, cornerback Leonard is another one who could see the field this season. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has been impressed with him the last couple of weeks as he has seen more practice reps due to minor injuries in the secondary that have kept some key rotation players out of action for a couple days. Leonard has a lot of experienced depth ahead of him at cornerback, so he's a reserve, at best -- though he could see time on special teams. What we've written about Traivon Leonard Auburn's first impressions of freshman defensive back Traivon Leonard Leonard may be Auburn's most underrated signee Leonard has "really high skillset" Julie Bennett Tyrone Truesdell, defensive tackle Truesdell falls into the same category as fellow freshman Alec Jackson as a fringe player who could work his way into the rotation along the defensive line. At 6-foot-2 and 338 pounds, Truesdell is a space-eating defensive tackle who could see select time up front, though he's the second or third option at nose tackle. What we've written about Tyrone Truesdell Rodney Garner lays into freshman Tyrone Truesdell Garner pleased with progress of Truesdell What are Auburn's plans for Truesdell? Truesdell gives Auburn a big body on the defensive line Julie Bennett Malcolm Askew, cornerback As an early enrollee, Askew got a head start on picking up Auburn's defensive and the advantage of going through spring practices. Still, there's ample experience at cornerback ahead of him on the depth chart. He could see time in the secondary, particularly in mop-up duty, though he's more likely to see the field this season on special teams. What we've written about Malcolm Askew How Malcolm Askew performed in the spring What Askew planned to add in the spring Askew gives Auburn options in the secondary Julie Bennett Calvin Ashley, left tackle The gem of Auburn's signing class, the former five-star offensive tackle was raved about by Gus Malzahn before he ever stepped foot on campus. Auburn saw him as a potential starter at left tackle, and although that hasn't panned out -- with that job going to either Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. or Darius James -- it is possible that Auburn still finds a way to gradually work Ashley onto the field this season and groom him for a future role on the line. What we've written about Calvin Ashley Calvin Ashley questionable for Auburn's second scrimmage Ashley undergoes minor medical procedure Auburn's first impressions of Ashley Ashley will "have a chance" to compete at left tackle What Ashley brings to left tackle competition The winding path that landed Ashley at Auburn Photo courtesy 247Sports/Laura Goldman graphic John Samuel Shenker, tight end/H-back Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said that Shenker could "maybe" have a role on offense this season but added that it's "too early to tell." It's clear Lindsey is a fan of Shenker's skillset at tight end and H-back, particularly how well he has picked up the blocking aspect of the position, but he's still behind Sal Cannella and Jalen Harris at tight end as well as Chandler Cox and others at H-back. What we've written about John Samuel Shenker Shenker has versatility as H-back, tight end for Auburn What the addition of Shenker means for Auburn How much will production increase for Auburn's tight ends in 2017? Auburn will "definitely" use tight end signees in passing game Julie Bennett K.J. Britt, linebacker It will be hard for Britt to crack the rotation at linebacker, where Auburn returns a clear-cut top four of Tre' Williams, Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson. However, Britt has been spoken of highly since the spring and he could easily carve out a role on special teams this season. What we've written about K.J. Britt Britt cleared for summer workouts When healthy, Auburn expects freshman Britt to "quarterback the defense" Travis Williams calls Britt "strong as three bears" Britt ready to patrol the middle for Auburn Julie Bennett Chandler Wooten, linebacker Wooten, like Britt, isn't likely to crack the rotation at linebacker this season given the returning depth the Tigers have at the position. He will have an opportunity to see the field on special teams, and linebackers coach Travis Williams made it clear that he doesn't sign linebackers to redshirt them. What we've written about Chandler Wooten How early enrollee Chandler Wooten looked in the spring Auburn rookie Wooten "don't look like a freshman" Auburn believes it added three pass-rushers on National Signing Day Wooten brings versatility to Auburn linebacker corps Julie Bennett Malik Willis, quarterback Willis has impressed from the moment he first stepped on the practice field in the spring. The former three-star quarterback has drawn comparisons to former Auburn star Nick Marshall, and he put on a show at A-Day while working behind Jarrett Stidham. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said a couple weeks ago that he "would never rule out" playing Willis this season given the experiences he has had with quarterback injuries, though Gus Malzahn said in a "perfect world" the Tigers would redshirt him. Regardless, the team hasn't ruled out using him in some capacity this season as he waits in the wings behind Stidham and Sean White. What we've written about Malik Willis What is freshman quarterback Malik Willis' role for Auburn this season? How Willis made a "really big jump" in the offseason Willis impresses on A-Day Willis has "a lot of similarities" to former Auburn star Nick Marshall Willis tried to "soak in everything" during the spring Jordyn Peters, safety/nickel Peters has spent a good amount of time with the first- and second-team defenses in recent weeks, mostly due to minor injuries in the secondary for Auburn. Still, with depth a concern at safety, the former three-star prospect could work his way into the rotation behind Tray Matthews and Nick Ruffin at strong safety. He may also see some time at nickel, though he's behind Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas, as well as a role on special teams. What we've written about Jordyn Peters Auburn's first impressions of freshman defensive back Jordyn Peters Peters brings ballhawk mentality to Auburn's secondary Julie Bennett Markaviest Bryant, Buck Auburn likes what Bryant brings to the table from a pass-rushing standpoint, and Malzahn has said he believes Bryant can help the team in that regard this season. Bryant is likely to factor into the rotation behind Jeff Holland and Paul James III this season. What we've written about Markaviest Bryant Auburn freshman Markaviest Bryant has "flashed" early in fall camp Bryant showing physical, mental traits Auburn wants in its Buck Gus Malzahn believes two true freshmen could contribute with pass rush Hand injury not limiting Bryant Julie Bennett T.D. Moultry, linebacker/Buck Moultry is another freshman, like Bryant, who figures to factor into the Tigers' defensive gameplans this fall. Moultry could potentially see some time at linebacker, if Auburn can fit him into the rotation behind its veteran group of returners, but he's also likely to see the field as a pass-rushing specialist in designated packages as he spends more time with defensive line coach Rodney Garner. What we've written about T.D. Moultry Rodney Garner wants to see more of Auburn freshman linebacker T.D. Moultry at Buck Injuries to Auburn's T.D. Moultry, Andrew Williams 'nothing serious,' Gus Malzahn says Malzahn believes 2 true freshmen could help with Auburn's pass rush this season Moultry could fill role left behind by Carl Lawson For Moultry, gun violence in Birmingham is a part of life Julie Bennett Devan Barrett, running back One way or another, Barrett is a virtual lock to see the field this season. The freshman is in the mix as Auburn's No. 3 running back, and even if he doesn't lock down the job outright, he could be used as a situational option out of the backfield. He has also been repping on special teams as a kick returner and could provide a home-run threat in the return game if given the opportunity. What we've written about Devan Barrett Devan Barrett gets 'very good look' at running back in 2nd scrimmage Devan Barrett's 'stock's going up' in competition for No. 3 running back spot Who Auburn could utilize at Wildcat this season Barrett brings all-around skillset to Auburn's backfield Julie Bennett Noah Igbinoghene, wide receiver Igbinoghene has been one of the most impressive freshmen this fall for Auburn, and he's not only the most likely to see the field this season -- but he also has a chance to earn a significant role. Igbinoghene has been working at flanker behind Ryan Davis and Eli Stove, and he has also been working as a return man on kickoffs. Either way, the speedy freshman receiver will find a way to help out Auburn this season. What we've written about Noah Igbinoghene 'Explosive' Auburn freshman Noah Igbinoghene expected to play immediately Freshman receiver Noah Igbinoghene getting 'noticed' during Auburn fall camp Gus Malzahn doesn't even try to pronounce Auburn signee's name Igbinoghene could fit well at slot for Auburn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUpreacherman22 3,908 Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Excellent article! Thanks for posting @aubiefifty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburn4ever 1,266 Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 That is a great article. Appreciate you posting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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