spring football observations: Transfer portal aftermath

[aubiefifty 18,242]

Auburn spring football observations: Transfer portal aftermath

By Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com

4-5 minutes

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Auburn held the second of three practices this week on Wednesday as the program continues toward April 9th, when the A-Day game takes place at Jordan-Hare. Tiger head coach Bryan Harsin didn’t Griddy dance, or the media didn’t see it during the 25-minute window.

Reporters had the opportunity to view sessions five through nine of the 20 session practice. Each session lasted five minutes. Players ran, blocked, tackled, and caught passes.

Before practice started on Wednesday, two players announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal. Redshirt freshman quarterback Dematrius Davis and cornerback Ro Torrence are seeking opportunities to play for other schools next season.

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Before we get into the observations from practice, here’s a reminder: Auburn and coach Bryan Harsin have requested that reporters not mention injured or restricted players or if an athlete isn’t present.

We’ve gotten the disclaimer out of the way. Let’s get into AL.Com’s observations from Wednesday’s practice.

-- Davis leaving means Oregon transfer Robby Ashford and freshman Holden Geriner move up the depth chart as the battle to replace Bo Nix at starting quarterback continues. TJ Finley made several solid throws while the media watched, and if the season started now, he’d likely be the starter.

-- Auburn returns several members of last season’s offensive line, including Kilian Zierer, which could bode well for Finley to establish consistency.

“T.J. started the last couple games, and with all the guys coming back, we know T.J., and he knows us. Of course, there’s always competition, especially in the spring because there’s more time than fall camp when you have to get ready for a game,” Zierer said before Wednesday’s practice. I don’t think it matters too much to the O-line, if you know how T.J. plays and his cadence and all that stuff, it helps compared to when the new guys come in, but it’s always the same for the O-line. It doesn’t change that much.”

-- Auburn’s quarterback battle is now at four. Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada is also in the mix.

-- Ashford took his reps after Finley and before Geriner. Ashford and Gegriner are doing good work, but Finley has the advantage since he’s more familiar with Eric Kiesau’s offense. Kiesau is in his first season as offensive coordinator, but he was Harsin’s OC in Boise for a while and will run a similar system.

-- Players practiced in shells and wore helmets allowing for more contact drills.

-- Freshman defensive back Caleb Wooden continues to impress. His quickness and strength make him stand out from the crowd.

“Caleb, he’s been really good for us lately,” cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett told reporters. He had, like you said, he had a few takeaways. Just seeing him coming along -- he’s coming to watch the film with the vets each and every day. Just doing the things he needs to right now.”

-- Media didn’t get to see 11v11 or 7v7 drills, so it’s tough to ascertain much about the depth chart based on Wednesday’s practice.

-- Auburn will hold a scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Friday night, and Harsin will speak to reporters once the practice is over.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.

Edited March 24, 2022 by aubiefifty

[aubiefifty 18,242]

i posted this because it says auburn will have their first scrimmage on friday night. my question is it it open to the public? and am i wrong in thinking it was supposed to be on saturday? thanx i willl hang up and listen.