5 questions heading into Auburn’s spring practices

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5 questions heading into Auburn’s spring practices

By Giana Han

7-9 minutes

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Auburn is about to hold its first spring practice in two years, and, since then, the football program has changed as much as daily life has in the pandemic.

From the head coach on down, Auburn replaced all of its coordinators and skill coaches except for one, running backs coach Cadillac Williams. It’s also lost some significant players to graduation, the transfer portal and the NFL draft.

At this early stage, it’s hard to make predictions about Bryan Harsin’s Auburn team. There are currently more questions than answers. As the spring ball approaches, here are five of the biggest questions:

Bet on Bo or QB battle?

Harsin walked in with a former five-star recruit and two-year veteran quarterback already on his roster. But Bo Nix’s failure to make a significant improvement in year two was cause for concern for a lot of fans. One of Harsin’s selling points was his track record with quarterbacks. Nix might present an exciting challenge for him, especially since some quarterbacks don’t make that jump until year three.

However, Auburn also has the highly touted Dematrius Davis on the team now. Davis has been compared to Lamar Jackson for his ability to make plays with his feet, and he’s a proven winner. Bowling Green transfer Grant Loy offers a veteran option, and Chayil Garnett is a three-star guy with a year under his belt.

Coaches always say no starting spot is guaranteed. But will they treat this spring as a true quarterback battle or will Harsin focus on correcting Nix’s mistakes to try to draw out his full potential?

Jan 1, 2020; Orlando FL, USA; Ze'Vian Capers (80) catches a pass from Bo Nix (10) for a first down during the game between Auburn vs Northwestern at Orlando. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Who steps up at wide receiver?

This past season, Auburn had just one senior wide receiver, Eli Stove, a veteran guy who was the third-most productive receiver on the team. But when the season finished, Auburn lost not just Stove but all three of its top receivers when Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz declared for the draft.

The room has plenty of talent left but little experience. Both Ze’Vian Capers and Shedrick Jackson have some starts under their belts, but their production was just a fraction of Stove’s, Williams’ and Schwartz’s. This spring will be a time for these young receivers to step up not just into those starting roles but into those leadership roles, as well.

From what Stove observed over the last season, Kobe Hudson could become a real important player. He was just a freshman in 2020, but he showed he had leadership qualities. He also gained some pretty significant time on the field during games, finishing with seven catches for 70 yards in 11 games.

Jackson, who was a junior in 2020, has dealt with injuries through his career. He’s a quiet guy, much like Stove, but very respected among the team. If he’s healthy, he could make an impact, as well.

But there’s so much talent, a sleeper may emerge this spring. Like Elijah Canion, who played in just two games but had three catches for 80 yards.

Oct 3, 2020; Oxford, MS, USA; Colby Wooden (25) Gets a tackle in the first quarter during the game between Auburn and Ole Miss at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

What will the defensive front look like and who will fall where?

New Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason’s defenses are known for many of the same things as Harsin’s offenses—flexibility, unpredictability, creativity and versatility. Mason has used a 4-3 and a 3-4 front. He has outside linebackers that can go after the passer, drop into coverage or even put their hand in the dirt. His edge rushers can go hard in the trenches like a tackle.

At Boise State, the defense featured a similar versatile player they called the STUD. Auburn used a Buck, which was similar but not the same since it was more of a lineman position.

Auburn has returning talent but the position the players return to might not be the same. Spring will give Mason a better idea of where each player best fits in his new scheme as well as what will work best with the talent he has. Auburn also has fresh faces coming in who could make an impact with Dylan Brooks and transfer Eku Leota. Both players have experience at end as well as outside linebacker.

Oct 3, 2020; Athens, GA, USA; Offensive line blocking for Tank Bigsby (4) during the game between Auburn and Georgia at Samford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Will experience make a difference for the offensive line (and numerous other offensive line questions)?

The offensive line was a major storyline all through the 2020 season. As soon as the 2019 season ended, the line gained attention because every starter except center Nick Brahms graduated. Then, in fall camp, the line dealt with COVID-19 and injuries. That continued through the season with an ever-shifting lineup.

This season, players besides Brahms will actually have some starting experience. They’ll have both a spring and a fall. And the injured players should be healed and ready to go again. Spring practice won’t give them a great gage of how the line will hold up against SEC defenses, but it may show whether that chemistry has been developed.

The line also never really established a core five. While it came out with one early on, that was quickly upset by injuries. In some of the original starters’ absences, other players like Keiondre Jones stepped up, and if they play well in front of the new coaches, they could retain that starting spot they filled in. There are also some junior college players from the class of 2020 who have been working on healing and getting bigger and could make a push.

Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin and Aubie have a meet-and-greet with students on the concourse on Monday, Feb. 1, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU AthleticsTodd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Last but not least, who is Auburn coach Bryan Harsin?

Besides three press conferences and a handful of social media posts, there has been little communication from Harsin, leaving people to speculate about just who he is. AL.com talked to Boise State media members to learn more about him, but Harsin may not take on the same persona while at Auburn.

Beyond his personality, there is mystery surrounding what type of coach he will be, what type of schemes he will run and how much success he will have. You could look at what he’s done in the past, but Auburn is a different team in a different league in a different environment. Harsin may have to adapt what he brings over, and he may be able to try new things with the talent he now has.

Spring ball will give the Auburn community more of a chance to get to know their new coach, and it will give the players a taste of what Harsin is like on the field, not just in the weight room. Uncovering who the new coach is is a journey Auburn fans will get to go through just once until the next coaching change.