Offensive line camp preview: The contenders

[aubiefifty 18,231]

2020 Auburn offensive line camp preview: The contenders

ByJason Caldwell

9-12 minutes

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AUBURN, Alabama--With the start date for fall football camp set for Aug. 17th for the Auburn Tigers, maybe the most watched group for Coach Gus Malzahn’s team will be the offensive line where new coach Jack Bicknell Jr. has to replace four starters and six seniors from a season ago. The numbers are there, but a group that lacks experience will be counted on to carry the water this season for Coach Chad Morris’ offense. 

Let’s take a look at the candidates for Auburn’s starting offensive line heading into fall camp:

Kamaar Bell, 6-2, 325—A redshirt freshman who got on the Auburn campus late last summer, Bell found himself physically behind his teammates in 2019. Without being in good enough shape to compete for a spot in camp, Bell was never a factor a season ago. That should change this season with the powerful interior lineman someone who could play either center or guard. Impressive in bowl practices last December, Bell has a chance to make an impact when the Tigers put the pads on.

Nick Brahms, 6-2, 299—The only returning player on Auburn’s offensive line with starting experience for the Tigers, the junior heads into the 2020 season as one of the leaders of the group for Coach Bicknell as he looks to put his first group together on the Plains. Injured as a senior in high school and his first season at Auburn, Brahms has been healthy for a full year for the first time, something that should make a huge difference for him because of allowing him the reps in the weight room to build up strength and stamina.

Brenden Coffey, 6-5, 279—He’s trending in the right direction physically, but a question still remains for the junior college offensive tackle Is he big enough to play this season at around 280 pounds? There is no questioning Coffey’s physicality and he was able to push around opponents last season in junior college at 255 pounds, but will his new size and strength allow him to handle life in the SEC? He will have a chance to prove himself in camp against a deep and talented defensive line group first to find out if he’s ready.

Brandon Council, 6-4, 325—A grad transfer from Akron, Council comes to Auburn with an opportunity to get on the field as a starter in the SEC. His addition could prove to be one of the most important for the Tigers for 2020 because of his versatility. With a season that could see players quarantined at times, having someone who can play all five positions could be huge for Bicknell. Council is expected to get his first look at guard, his natural position, and has been promising since arriving on campus.

Brodarious Hamm, 6-5, 330—Few players have waited longer for his turn more than Hamm. Dealing with childhood cancer as a high school senior, Hamm has been on a steady climb as an offensive lineman and goes into his junior season as one of the most physically-imposing players on Auburn’s roster. A powerful blocker who has impressed teammates since he got back on the field, Hamm is going to get his first shot to play right tackle, but could also move inside to guard if needed. Another player with versatility, Hamm will be tough to keep out of the starting lineup this season.

 

Brodarious Hamm played last season at right tackle. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Inside The Auburn Tigers, 247Sports)

Jalil Irvin, 6-2, 310—Up 11 pounds since last season when he played in four games as a reserve offensive guard for the Tigers, Irvin is another player who gives Auburn versatility. Capable of playing both guard and center, Irvin has improved greatly since arriving on campus and is someone to keep an eye on when the Tigers open preseason camp this month. With some experience under his belt, Irvin could be one of the surprises of the preseason if he can earn a starting job.

Alec Jackson, 6-5, 315—A former defensive end turned defensive tackle from Jeff Davis High in Montgomery, Jackson has continued to progress since moving to the offensive line before the 2019 season. Learning from Prince Tega Wanogho a season ago and getting his feet wet, Jackson has the skill set and athleticism to make a run at a starting job this season. While still learning the fundamentals, having a new set of eyes to help him progress should do nothing but help the athletic Jackson.

Avery Jernigan, 6-3, 296—An early graduate who enrolled in January, Jernigan was hoping for a spring practice to get his college playing days started, but that didn’t happen. An old school type of offensive lineman, Jernigan has the makeup of a player like former Tiger Reese Dismukes. He’s a guy who should be strong enought to knock opponents off the line of scrimmage. Expected to work at center for the Tigers when they put the pads on, Jernigan is someone who should have a bright future at Auburn if he can pick things up at his new position after playing tackle in high school.

Tate Johnson, 6-3, 309—Another early high school graduate from just up the road at Callaway High in Hogansville, Georgia, Johnson improved greatly from his junior to senior seasons of high school football. That’s what you’re looking for if you’re a coaching staff, a player who is continuing to make progress. Now the challenge is to continue that heading into college action. Expected to get his first look at guard, Johnson is likely headed for a redshirt season for the Tigers as is the case for most incoming freshmen up front.

Keiondre Jones, 6-3, 335—A mountain of a player and just a redshirt freshman, Jones has a great opportunity to earn a starting spot for the Tigers after working behind 2019 senior guard Mike Horton last season. Powerful and athletic, the next step for Jones is realizing how dominant he can become. Built similar to former Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack, if Jones steps up and becomes that road grader that Auburn has been missing it could be huge for Bicknell’s offensive line group moving forward.

 

Keiondre Jones has an opportunity to earn playing time this fall as a redshirt freshman. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Inside The Auburn Tigers, 247Sports)

Tashawn Manning, 6-3, 324—Much like Brodarious Hamm, Manning has been fighting to get on the field after battling cancer. which delayed his collegiate start. A former defensive tackle turned offensive lineman, the redshirt junior is looking to follow in the path of Tyronne Green. Another player who moved from defense to offense, Green overcame a lack of height with great lower body strength and long arms. Manning has similar traits and if he can put it all together he could be one of the surprises for the Tigers.

Prince Sammons, 6-7, 313—Coming to Auburn as a converted defensive lineman that was going to make the move to offensive tackle, Sammons has never been able to get over the hump and make a push for a starting job. Already with his degree in hand, earning his bachelor’s degree from the College of Business in 2020, the native of Nigeria has battled injuries much of the last year and isn’t expected to contend at offensive tackle this fall unless something changes.

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Kameron Stutts, 6-4, 325—A player who earned his shot to play at Auburn with a strong camp performance prior to his senior season at Brooks High in Killen, Stutts is one of the players in contention at the guard spot heading into the 2020 season. A hard worker who isn’t afraid to lay it on the line, Stutts has performed well when given the opportunity to play. A former tackle from his high school playing days, Stutts has a big frame that should suit him well in Chad Morris’ system because of more expected from the passing game.

Austin Troxell, 6-6, 312—It’s hard to imagine a player who has gone through more injuries issues than the Madison, Alabama native has in the last five years. Going through three surgeries on his right knee, the first coming his junior season at Madison Academy, Troxell has fought back and put himself in a position to earn a starting spot at left tackle. With experience at both tackle and guard in his career, a healthy Troxell could provide a huge boost for Auburn’s offensive line this season because of his ability to play multiple spots if needed.

 

Austin Troxell has played guard and tackle for the Tigers. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Inside The Auburn Tigers--AUTigers.com)

Jeremiah Wright, 6-5, 340—The largest of Auburn’s offensive linemen this season, Wright is a massive player who is much more athletic than some may expect. Playing both ways at Selma High School, Wright still has a long way to go in terms of technique and fundamentals, but there is no questioning the tools he brings to the table. A player who will get his start at tackle, he could easily slide inside to guard if needed before all is said and done. Strong and athletic, Wright has impressed since arriving on campus.

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29COMMENTS

Kilian Zierer, 6-7, 294—Another player who is coming back from a knee injury suffered in week eight of his junior college season last fall, Zierer has continued to improve and should be ready to put the pads on later in August. Playing just two years of American football after moving to California from Germany, Zierer has great footwork that comes from growing up playing soccer. At close to 300 pounds, he still has plenty of room to add size and strength to his frame. Just like Troxell, a healthy Zierer gives Auburn a prototypical left tackle on the roster.

[McLoofus 35,182]

43 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

An old school type of offensive lineman, Jernigan has the makeup of a player like former Tiger Reese Dismukes.

[AUpreacherman22 3,945]

Obviously, the OL is a major key to the season (hoping that we have one).  How quickly they are ready to go, and gel as a unit will be huge!

Who are the early favorites in the clubhouse for the starting 5, based on what you've heard/read?  

[Sizzle 3,948]

2 hours ago, AUpreacherman22 said:

Obviously, the OL is a major key to the season (hoping that we have one).  How quickly they are ready to go, and gel as a unit will be huge!

Who are the early favorites in the clubhouse for the starting 5, based on what you've heard/read?  

It doesn’t matter until the guys go in pads, that’s when everything changes. But everybody has been talking about Hamm being good

[McLoofus 35,182]

1 hour ago, Sizzle said:

It doesn’t matter until the guys go in pads, that’s when everything changes. But everybody has been talking about Hamm being good

I feel like Brahms is the only sure thing, and Hamm at RT is the next closest. Feels like every other spot us open. 

[AuburnNTexas 7,317]

This article paints a fairly bright picture when talking about talent level of these players with caution on the side of lack of experience and working as a unit.  If this is accurate and we do have a bunch of nasty mauler types fighting to start we should at least be ahead when it comes to moving people when we run. Being strong, nasty, and mean goes a long way in the O-Line but it also takes very smart players to adjust to defenses, Blitz's, fake blitz's, knowing your assignment and blocking scheme.  If we are allowed to get into pads soon and start working as a unit the delayed start to the season assuming we have a season could actually help by giving these players a little extra time to meld into a cohesive unit.

[AUpreacherman22 3,945]

5 hours ago, McLoofus said:

I feel like Brahms is the only sure thing, and Hamm at RT is the next closest. Feels like every other spot us open. 

Kinda what I was thinking.    There are some other intriguing options.  I’m hoping a few others start to separate themselves quickly.