seniors point out players to watch next season

[aubiefifty 18,230]

Auburn seniors point out players to watch next season

Updated Dec 30, 2019;Posted Dec 30, 2019

4-5 minutes

The Outback Bowl isn’t just a chance to send the seniors out on a good note, it’s also a good way for Auburn to get a jumpstart on 2020.

When the Tigers started bowl practice in Auburn, they took their 25 seniors out of drills to see what they would have to work with next year. As they watched from the sidelines, the seniors could see that they’re leaving the team in good hands.

The offensive line is losing the most starters — four out of five are seniors. Center Nick Brahms will obviously be the one to step into a leadership position next season because he will be the only returning starter, but there are four others that the seniors said to specifically watch for in 2020.

Sophomore Brodarious Hamm has caught the attention of the leaders on the offensive line, as well as the defensive linemen who have to match up against him in practice. The 6-foot-5, 312 pound right tackle is naturally gifted, and he’s a fast learner, too. He made the transition from guard to tackle and picked it up quickly.

“He’s a really strong kid,” senior right tackle Jack Driscoll said. “When he gets his hands on you, it’s over.”

Senior left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho said Hamm has “high potential,” as does sophomore Alec Jackson. Last season, Jackson switched over from the defensive line. He’s still adjusting, Wanogho said, especially when it comes to pass protection, but he’s a “real physical dude.” Wanogho expects Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 304 pound lineman, to be really good in the run game.

Driscoll added Austin Troxell to the list of players to look out for. Troxell, who is a 6-foot-6, 310 pound sophomore, has been recovering from an ACL tear. Left guard Marquel Harrell also mentioned 6-foot-3, 326 pound sophomore Tashawn Manning because of how much hard work he’s put in.

The defensive backs aren’t losing nearly as many seniors as the offensive line, but they’ll be losing their leadership. Both starting safeties, Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas, as well as cornerback Javaris Davis, are seniors. Dinson thinks the secondary will actually be better next year than it is now. Sophomore Roger McCreary has already started to make a name for himself, but Thomas said to also look out for sophomores Jamien Sherwood and Smoke Monday.

“They have the size, the height — they’re going to be some good players one day,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to those guys’ futures.”

Sherwood is special because he can “do it all,” Thomas said. He’s fast; he’s physical; and he can talk.

“In the safety position you have to be able to communicate and get everybody on the same page,” Thomas said. “It’s not all about you, but if you can get everybody on the same page and play your own game, that’s a big deal.”

Neither is the biggest sleeper in the group though.

“I’ll tell you one — Nehemiah (Pritchett),” Davis said. “I feel like he has a very strong skill set and once he continues to build that confidence he’s going to be a great corner. Nobody is really talking about him right now because he’s still young, but he’s going to be somebody to look out for.”

Among the running backs, there’s only one guy leaving because of graduation. But Kam Martin is leaving behind a talented room that will only get better next season with the arrival of five-star recruit Tank Bigsby.

Sophomore Boobee Whitlow has already established himself as the No. 1 back, and freshman D.J. Williams has done a good job of making a case to be No. 2 or even to split reps. Martin said to also look for redshirt freshman Harold Joiner to continue to improve. He’s been putting in a lot of work, and his time is coming, Martin feels.

The face that people are least likely to recognize is freshman Mark Antony-Richards. While the six other running backs shared time, he’s been recovering from surgery on his right leg. He’s come a long way, coach Gus Malzahn said, but he won’t be ready for the Outback Bowl. People should look out for him next year, though.

“He's going to be special,” Martin said. “I said it before: he's like a Kerryon Johnson. He wants to know the game. He's just going to be a special back, man. I just can't wait to see him when his time comes.”

It’s always hard to step in and replace starters, Driscoll said, but the seniors seem confident that the young guys are ready for the job.

[bigbird 60,939]

9 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

Sherwood is special because he can “do it all,” Thomas said. He’s fast; he’s physical; and he can talk.

“In the safety position you have to be able to communicate and get everybody on the same page,” Thomas said. “It’s not all about you, but if you can get everybody on the same page and play your own game, that’s a big deal.”

@cole256 did DT steal the notes I sent you? 😁

 

 

[cole256 17,085]

5 minutes ago, bigbird said:

@cole256 did DT steal the notes I sent you? 😁

 

 

I'm still trying to figure out how he got my stuff about Smoke!