APRIL 7, 2016
AUBURN A-DAY GAME, 3 p.m.
The Auburn Plainsman
A-DAY 2016 PAGE
4
PAGE
Numerical roster
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Quarterback competition
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Tre’ Williams ready to lead defense
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The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
Thursday, April 7, 2016
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S PAGE 3 Editor’s take
PAGE 7 Robinson, Thomas looking to seize opportunity
PAGE 4 Full numerical roster
PAGE 8 Offensive line taking shape in spring practice
PAGE 5 New faces on The Plains
PAGE 8 Inexperience the theme among wide receiver corps
PAGE 6 Four quarterbacks competing for starting job
PAGE 10 Williams ready to lead inexperienced linebacker corps Cover photo by Dakota Sumpter / Photo editor
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Thursday, April 7, 2016
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The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
A-Day and a time for new beginnings
EDITOR’S TAKE
Evan McCullers ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
For many college football programs across the country, this year’s spring game will have no particular significance. Fans will get the opportunity to tailgate, see their new team in action and return home to dream of a 15-0 season throughout the drudgery that is the offseason. That is not the case for Auburn. This year’s A-Day game marks a new beginning for the Tigers, one desperately needed after they stumbled through a disappointing season a year ago. At this time last year, expectations were skyhigh.
Will Muschamp was brought in to deal with the defensive issues, and Jeremy Johnson had shown flashes of brilliance in his limited experience at quarterback in his first two seasons on The Plains. Things did not go according to plan, to put it mildly. Johnson struggled early in the season and was benched in favor of then-redshirt freshman Sean White. The defense failed to show immediate improvement under Muschamp, surrendering over 400 yards per contest. Auburn finished at 7-6, having never looked the part of its top-5 preseason ranking. This spring, with lower expectations, coach Gus Malzahn has an opportunity, perhaps his final one, to hit the reset button. He brought in five new assistant coaches after the majority of last year’s staff bolted for other schools. Most of the faces that will be
new to Auburn fans are not to Malzahn himself. Offensive line coach Herb Hand and linebackers coach Travis Williams have coached with Malzahn before, and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns played the position for him during his time at Auburn. With familiar faces around him, Malzahn has the tall task of returning his offense to the juggernaut it was in his first two seasons. Johnson and White have been given a clean slate to work with this spring, but they are not without competition, as JUCO transfer John Franklin III and redshirt freshman Tyler Queen are also vying for the starting nod. The departures of the Tigers’ leading rusher and top two receivers from last year have created an abundance of opportunities for other offensive skill players, as well. On defense, new coordinator Kevin Steele
will have to find replacements for three starters at linebacker and two in the secondary. With just one defensive assistant remaining from last year, young players will have a chance to play for new eyes and attempt to earn time on the field. For last fall’s few bright spots, such as Daniel Carlson, a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, and Rudy Ford, who recorded the most tackles by an Auburn player in a season since 2001, the spring represents an opportunity to build on their strong play. For the team as a whole, it provides a chance to escape the memories of last year’s missed opportunities, poor play and ultimately, losses. This spring provides a new beginning for the Tigers. The ending is theirs to write. Evan can be reached at sports@ThePlainsman.com.
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The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
Thursday, April 7, 2016
ROSTER
2016 A-Day Game Numerical Roster 1 Montravius Adams DT 6-4 296 SR Vienna, Ga. 3 Marlon Davidson DL 6-3 281 FR Greenville, Ala. 4 Jeff Holland DL 6-2 240 SO Jacksonville, Fla. 4 Jason Smith WR 6-1 180 JR Mobile, Ala. 5 John Franklin III QB 6-1 174 JR Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 6 Carlton Davis DB 6-1 190 SO Miami, Fla. 6 Jeremy Johnson QB 6-5 240 SR Montgomery, Ala. 8 Tony Stevens WR 6-4 205 SR Orlando, Fla. 9 Byron Cowart DE 6-3 277 SO Seffner, Fla. 9 Roc Thomas RB 5-10 203 JR Oxford, Ala. 10 Paul James III DL 6-4 258 JR Miami, Fla. 10 Stanton Truitt WR 5-9 184 SO Atlanta, Ga. 11 Markell Boston DB 6-0 200 SO Sharpsburg, Ga. 11 Kyle Davis WR 6-2 208 FR Loganville, Ga. 12 Jamel Dean DB 6-2 205 RS FR Cocoa, Fla. 13 T.J. Davis DB 6-0 200 SR Tallahassee, Fla. 13 Sean White QB 6-0 200 SO Boca Raton, Fla. 14 Stephen Roberts DB 5-11 187 JR Opelika, Ala. 15 Joshua Holsey DB 5-11 198 SR Fairburn, Ga. 15 Tyler Queen QB 6-1 241 RS FR Kennesaw, Ga. 16 Devin Adams QB 6-2 247 JR Mobile, Ala. 19 Nick Ruffin DB 6-0 191 JR Duluth, Ga. 20 Jeremiah Dinson DB 5-11 172 SO Miami, Fla. 21 Kerryon Johnson RB 6-0 195 SO Madison, Ala. 22 Tim Irvin DB 5-9 194 SO Palmetto, Fla. 23 Johnathan Ford DB 6-0 203 SR Big Cove, Ala. 25 Austin Dupper DB 5-9 179 SR Decatur, Ala. 26 John Broussard Jr. DB 5-11 163 Phenix City, Ala. 27 Chandler Cox FB 6-1 232 SO Apopka, Fla. 28 TrayMatthews DB 6-1 213 JR Newnan, Ga. 29 Jovon Robinson RB 6-0 230 SR Memphis, Tenn. 29 Tyler Stovall WR/H 6-1 207 JR Hokes Bluff, Ala. 30 Damian Lewis RB 5-9 208 SR Wetumpka, Ala. 30 Tre’ Williams LB 6-2 238 JR Mobile, Ala. 31 Javaris Davis DB 5-10 180 RS FR Jacksonville, Fla. 32 Malik Miller RB 5-11 218 FR Huntsville, Ala. 33 Will Hastings K 5-10 165 SO Little Rock, Ark. 36 Kamryn Pettway FB 6-0 242 SO Prattville, Ala. 36 Michael Sherwood DB 5-9 168 JR Fairburn, Ga. 37 Logan Rice WR 6-0 208 SO Rome, Ga. 38 Daniel Carlson K 6-4 213 JR Colorado Springs, Colo. 39 Robert Muschamp FB 6-1 236 RS FR Rome, Ga. 39 Conner Sibley LB 5-10 201 RS FR Athens, Ga. 40 Eugene Govan RB 5-7 185 SO Grovetown, Ga. 41 Greg Hall TE 6-3 248 SR Athens, Ga. 42 Keenan Sweeney FB 6-0 238 SO Snellville, Ga. 42 Tre’ Threat LB 6-0 246 FR Geneva, Ala. 43 Cedric Chambers RB 5-7 190 SO Valley, Ala. 43 Ian Shannon K/P 6-3 209 RS FR Marietta, Ga. 44 Raymond Lester DB 5-11 156 SO Marietta, Ga. 44 Landon Rice TE 6-5 246 FR Rome, Ga. 45 Thomas Taylor K/P 6-0 180 SO Spain Park, Ala. 45 C.J. Tolbert RB 5-7 193 SO Dadeville, Ala.
46 Ben Hood DB 5-8 174 SO Atlanta, Ga. 46 Caleb King LB 6-3 214 JR Huntsville, Ala. 47 Chase Schaum WR 5-10 187 SO Tallahassee, Fla. 47 Cameron Toney LB 6-1 243 JR Huntsville, Ala. 48 Montavious Atkinson DB 6-1 183 SO Fairburn, Ga. 49 Jack Bjork P 6-1 200 JR Dallas, Tex. 49 Darrell Williams LB 6-2 234 SO Hoover, Ala. 50 Chase Ritter LB 5-10 189 JR Wetumpka, Ala. 51 Richard McBryde LB 6-1 227 RS FR Troy, Ala. 51 Jonathan Parslow LS 6-1 204 JR Daphne, Ala. 52 Xavier Dampeer OL 6-2 305 SR Mendenhall, Miss. 52 Antwaun Jackson Jr. DL 6-2 308 FR Ellenwood, Ga. 54 Kaleb Kim OL 6-4 284 RS FR Buford, Ga. 55 Carl Lawson DL 6-2 257 SR Alpharetta, Ga. 56 Jackson Thomas LB 5-11 218 SR Birmingham, Ala. 57 Deshaun Davis LB 5-11 236 SO Mobile, Ala. 58 Josh Shockley LB 5-10 215 SO McDonough, Ga. 59 Raashed Kennion DL 6-6 235 JR Jacksonville, Fla. 60 Drew Spivey LS 6-2 235 RS FR Louisville, Ala. 61 Ryan Meneely OL 6-1 310 RS FR McDonough, Ga. 62 Jaunta’vius Johnson DT 6-2 322 RS FR Lincoln, Ala. 63 Alex Kozan OL 6-4 300 SR Castle Rock, Colo. 64 Mike Horton OL 6-4 312 RS FR Atlanta, Ga. 65 Tucker Brown OL 6-3 265 SO Trussville, Ala. 66 Bailey Sharp OL 6-5 293 RS FR Marietta, Ga. 67 Tyler Carr OL 6-5 313 RS FR Southside, Ala. 68 Zach Wade LS 5-10 205 SO Bremen, Ga. 69 Ike Powell LS 6-3 244 JR Tifton, Ga. 70 Robert Leff OL 6-6 288 SR Fairhope, Ala. 71 Braden Smith OL 6-6 286 JR Olathe, Kan. 73 Austin Golson OL 6-5 304 JR Prattville, Ala. 75 Deon Mix OL 6-4 301 JR Batesville, Miss. 76 Jordan Diamond OL 6-4 304 SR Chicago, Ill. 77 Marquel Harrell OL 6-3 325 RS FR Fairburn, Ga. 78 Darius James OL 6-4 332 JR Killeen, Tex. 79 Andrew Williams DL 6-4 270 SO McDonough, Ga. 80 Marcus Davis WR 5-9 180 SR Boynton Beach, Fla. 81 Darius Slayton WR 6-2 182 RS FR Norcross, Ga. 82 Pete Berryman WR 6-5 214 SO Birmingham, Ala. 83 Ryan Davis WR 5-9 164 SO St. Petersburg, Fla. 84 Chase Cramer FB 5-10 204 RS FR Orlando, Fla. 85 Jalen Harris TE 6-4 250 SO Montgomery, Ala. 86 Clay Coburn WR 6-1 209 JR Auburn, Ala. 89 Griffin King WR 5-10 173 RS FR Atlanta, Ga. 90 Maurice Swain DL 6-5 295 SR LaGrange, Ga. 91 Kevin Phillips P 6-0 185 SR Greenwood, Miss. 92 Justin Thomas-Thornton DL 6-5 228 SO Prichard, Ala. 93 Tyler Carter DL 6-1 243 RS FR Decatur, Ala. 94 Devaroe Lawrence DL 6-2 281 SR Greenville, S.C. 95 Dontavius Russell DL 6-3 295 SO Carrollton, Ga. 96 Aaron Garrison DL 6-2 278 JR Ozark, Ala. 97 Gary Walker DL 5-11 247 RS FR Toccoa, Ga. 98 Prince Tega Wanogho DL 6-8 250 RS FR Elmore, Ala. Information courtesy of Auburn Athletics
Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
NEWCOMERS
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New faces on The Plains E mily S hoffit SPORTS REPORTER
PHOTO COURTESY OF 247SPORTS
Kyle Davis (11), a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is one of a school-record nine early enrollees at Auburn this spring.
A new Auburn team has found a life of its own this year after underachieving last season. “This is not last year’s team,” said first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. “We can't rest on what we did last year. Every team has a different personality, a different chemistry, different makeup. This has been a very eager group to learn. They've embraced what we're doing.” Coach Gus Malzahn and his staff rounded out another solid recruiting class this year, No. 9 in the country and No. 5 in the SEC. A promising group of wide receivers signed with the Tigers, including January enrollee and 4-star recruit Kyle Davis. The hype may follow him onto The Plains, but for new receivers coach Kodi Burns, it doesn't matter where you came from. “I don't care how good you are in high school,” Burns said. “Once you get to college, it's an entirely different ballgame. As good as those guys were
in high school, once they get here, we have to develop them.” Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson and Antwuan Jackson, both 4-star recruits, bolstered an already strong position group with Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams returning. While the newcomers may have a chance to show their stars, senior defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence believes it’s up to the seniors and the juniors to show them the way. “The guys that got playing time and experience under their belt to bring them along let them know everything is going to be all right, because they're good,” said Lawrence. “They got talent, or else they wouldn't be here.” Other early enrollees include: • John Broussard, CB, Phenix City, Ala. • John Franklin III, QB, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. • Paul James III, DE, Wesson, Miss. • Malik Miller, RB, Huntsville, Ala. • Landon Rice, TE, Calhoun, Ga. • Tre’ Threat, LB, Spanish Fort, Ala.
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The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
Thursday, April 7, 2016
QUARTERBACKS
studiothreenineteen studio3nineteen
JORDAN HAYS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTO COURTESY OF AUBURN ATHLETICS
Sean White (13) and Jeremy Johnson (6) are two of the four quarterbacks competing for the starting job.
John Franklin III (5) runs the ball during a recent scrimmage at Auburn’s indoor practice facility.
Four quarterbacks competing for starting job
Emily Shoffit SPORTS REPORTER
The end of the Nick Marshall era left Auburn winded and searching for a replacement. The promise of superstardom that came with Jeremy Johnson never came to fruition, and Sean White was unable to remain healthy throughout 2015. Those conditions are now a thing of the past, according to coach Gus Malzahn. “This is a new year, and that’s what we’ve been preaching to our guys,” Malzahn said. “You can use those things as far as having that chip on your shoulder to help motivate you, but they’re moving forward.” Now, an unfamiliar face and a redshirt freshman have thrown their hats into the ring. John Franklin III, a JUCO transfer from East Mississippi Community College, is a dual-threat quarterback who is reminiscent of Marshall during his time on The Plains. Shifty and of smaller physique, Franklin would seemingly fit in well in the hurry-up offense that made the Tigers successful in the past. “That’s a quick person, man,” said junior running back Jovon Robinson. “When you can move laterally as quick as he can, you can do special things on the field.”
Redshirt freshman Tyler Queen is back after recovering from Tommy John surgery and has to compete against the other able-bodied candidates but with restriction. Malzahn has the freshman on a pitch count to ensure a full recovery for his arm, but he said Queen has been “flying around” in spring practice. While White and Johnson are still very much in the competition, moving on to another year doesn’t fend off questions from the 2015 season. Can White stay healthy? Can Johnson find his confidence? Johnson improved toward the end of the season and was 10 for 23 with 170 yards and one touchdown in last year’s Iron Bowl. Both have proven physically capable of competing in the SEC, but whether they will be able to overcome last year’s struggles, especially in the midst of a heated competition, remains to be seen. “Right now, we’ll have great competition in that [quarterback] room,” Malzahn said. “Everything they do, we’ll make sure we chart, we grade everything and see what comes of it. My experience is when you’ve got good competition, it brings out the best in everybody.”
Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
7
RUNNING BACKS
Robinson, Thomas looking to seize opportunity at running back Andrew Monson SPORTS WRITER
During his time at Auburn, coach Gus Malzahn has shown his preference for a primary ball carrier. Tre Mason took the reins in 2013, Cameron Artis-Payne followed his lead in 2014 and Peyton Barber shouldered the load for much of 2015. With Barber departing for the NFL this offseason, the opportunity is there for a new workhorse back to emerge. Senior Jovon Robinson and junior Roc Thomas have been in open competition for that role this spring, but Thomas said they don’t think of it that way. “We don’t even really even think of it as competition,” Thomas said. “We’re pretty much like brothers, so it’s not even a competition between us, really.” Though the race will likely continue through fall camp, Robinson may have a leg up in the race to fill Barber’s shoes. The MVP of the Birmingham Bowl, Robinson finished the 2015 season with 639 yards and three touchdowns, most of which came in the final six games. Whether he wins the job outright or not, Robinson said he’s just ready to show what he can do with a whole season of work.
“I feel like a bunch of the questions about me, about my play, I have answered to a certain extent,” Robinson said. “Last year, I wasn’t able to manipulate a whole season. This year, I think I’ll be able to manipulate a whole season because I really haven’t played a full season maybe in three years or so. I’ve still got bundles of energy. I’ve got a good team.” One running back who won’t be seen at A-Day is sophomore Kerryon Johnson, as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but Pettway said he’s staying in good spirits. “We’re keeping our brother’s head up,” said running back Kamryn Pettway. “We know he’s hurt right now and he wants to be out there with us, but he’s out there every day with us, working and keeping us motivated.” With limited bodies at running back this spring, Malzahn is also giving the fullbacks, Pettway and Chandler Cox, a look with the ball in their hands. “The rest of the guys, they’re going to get an opportunity too,” Malzahn said. “Pettway is a guy that we’re giving some carries at the traditional tailback. He played tailback in high school, and Chandler Cox’s the same way. In spring, those two, especially, will be at fullback and tailback [to] try to give some depth.”
FILE PHOTO
Jovon Robinson (29) looks for running room in Auburn’s 56-34 victory over Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.
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The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
Thursday, April 7, 2016
WIDE RECEIVERS
Inexperience the theme among wide receiver corps Bailey Rogers SPORTS WRITER
During the 2015–16 football season, Auburn’s quarterback struggles were well-chronicled. The hype brought on by the national media about preseason Heisman hopeful Jeremy Johnson’s tribulations covered up an underlying issue at Auburn — the receivers. Coming into the 2015 season, things were looking up for the Tigers despite the loss of leading receiver Sammie Coates to the NFL Draft. The coaching staff turned to D’haquille “Duke” Williams to take the throne as the primary receiver and Ricardo Louis to step into a strong support role. After a rocky start and an apparent lack of chemistry between quarterbacks and receivers in 2015, things began to get worse. On Oct. 5, Williams was dismissed from the team, making Louis the primary target. The Tigers’ receivers hit a low point Oct. 24. The team combined for seven
dropped passes en route to a four-overtime loss at Arkansas. On the second play of the fourth overtime, Louis dropped a pass that would’ve led to a touchdown and possibly the game-tying 2-point conversion. The game ended two plays later with a final score of 54-46. On National Signing Day, it became apparent Auburn had made a concerted effort to build up its receiving talent. Auburn brought in four receivers in this year’s class — 4-stars Kyle Davis, Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove and 3-star Marquis McClain. All of these freshmen have a chance to contribute right away, but there is no doubt there will be a learning curve. “I don’t care where you come from. I don't care how good you are in high school,” said receivers coach Kodi Burns. “Once you get to college it’s an entirely different ballgame. As good as those guys were in high school, once they get here, we have to develop them.”
The four incoming freshmen are joined by another newcomer of sorts. Burns, who played at Auburn from 2007–10, took over the position Feb. 15, only one day after former coach Dameyune Craig left. The combination of a new coach with a new bunch of receivers may seem worrisome, but Burns views it as a positive. “I think it’s really good that we’re young because I get to mold them the way I want to,” Burns said. “They don’t know any better right now. So right now, they are kind of a blank canvas.” Coach Gus Malzahn has been more actively involved in the quarterback competition this season, but he hasn’t forgotten about the fresh faces catching the ball. “We have some experience, but overall I think we’re inexperienced,” Malzahn said. “That’s what it is, but I think that can be a good thing. Those guys are flying around out there, and Kodi’s flying around with them. There’s quite a bit of potential; that’s the good thing.”
DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR
Marcus Davis (80) is one of the few veteran wide receivers on this year’s squad.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Offensive line taking shape in spring practice Nathan Deal SPORTS WRITER
Few areas of Auburn’s football team are under the microscope as much as the offensive line, which lost tackles Shon Coleman and Avery Young to the NFL Draft and is now under the management of former Penn State and Vanderbilt offensive line coach Herb Hand. The interior of the offensive line is back, as center Austin Golson and guards Braden Smith and Alex Kozan return. The big question about those three is how many of them will remain in those positions come fall. Rather than simply relying on an experienced interior offensive line and inexperienced tackles, Hand is rotating offensive linemen around to find an ideal starting five. “We’ve got to figure out that part of the equation,” Hand said of the offensive tackle position. “We’ve got a little bit more ex-
perience inside, which is a real positive for us. The way the tackles have responded so far and the way that they’ve played has been a positive as well. ... I’m pretty happy with where we’re at. We’ve just got to keep getting better.” Golson, who’s primarily experienced at center, has been seeing time at left tackle in practice. “He’s got a lot of experience at center, so every rep he takes at left tackle, he gets more comfortable, which is big for us,” Hand said. Pushing Golson for playing time at left tackle is junior Darius James, who started two games at right tackle for Texas in 2014 before transferring to Auburn. While Golson has been busy with a potential position change, senior Xavier Dampeer has emerged as an option at center. As for the other returning starters on Au-
burn’s offensive line this spring, Kozan will likely stay put at guard, while Smith has received reps at right tackle. Hand also revealed who else has been receiving reps at the tackle positions. “Tyler Carr has been primarily at the right side, Bailey Sharp has been at the left side, and Jordan Diamond and Deon Mix have been really repping both sides,” Hand said. While Auburn’s offensive linemen had to deal with the departure of former offensive line coach J.B. Grimes, Hand has quickly captured his players’ attention and respect. “I'm thankful for what coach J.B. Grimes has given our offensive line,” Kozan said. “I think he really helped us, but I’m also excited for Coach Hand bringing new ideas in. You combine that and get better as a player. “Coach Hand is a great guy, and I’m liking what I’m seeing from him so far. He makes me want to get better as a player, and
he makes our offensive line want to get better too.” The returning experience on the offensive line helps, but Hand said finding the right offensive line is a challenge that can’t be solved overnight. “The big challenge now is saying, ‘What’s going to be the best mix of guys? Who are the best five guys for us to put on the field to give us the greatest amount of success?’” Hand said. “That’s what spring ball’s for, is to figure that stuff out. “You like to have them in a unit so as they go through summer workouts, they’re really working together as a starting five or a second five or there might be six or seven guys you’re working into your top five guys. But they’ve got to get used to working together as well, and obviously, once we get through training camp before we open up against Clemson, we’ll have that all sorted out.”
Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
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The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Plainsman Picks: 2016 Preseason Edition 2016 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINALISTS
Sam Butler Sports Editor
Evan McCullers Asst. Sports Editor
Emily Shoffit
2016 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINALISTS
National Champion: CLEMSON TIGERS
Bailey Rogers
National Champion: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Andrew Monson
National Champion: CLEMSON TIGERS
Sports Writer
Sports Writer
Nathan Deal
National Champion: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
National Champion: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
National Champion: FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
Sports Writer
Sports Reporter
LINEBACKERS
Tre’ Williams ready to lead inexperienced linebacker corps Evan McCullers
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
ADAM SPARKS / PHOTOGRAPHER
Tre’ Williams (30) tackles Alabama running back Derrick Henry in Auburn’s 29-13 loss on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.
Tre’ Williams has been waiting a long time for the opportunity to lead the Auburn defense. It’s an opportunity that’s been presented in his junior season, just two years after he arrived on campus as the nation’s top linebacker recruit. “It went by fast, in the blink of an eye, but it’s a great feeling,” Tre’ said. “I’d pictured myself one day being the leader of the defense for the Auburn Tigers, and I’m there now. So now I’ve got to take the responsibility.” Tre’ is tasked with leading a defense and, more specifically, a linebacker corps with many new faces — both on and off the field. Auburn’s defensive coordinator and two of its defensive assistants departed after the season for other jobs, leaving Auburn with its seventh defensive coordinator in the last 10 seasons. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn tabbed Kevin Steele to lead the defense, and he has quickly become known as a player’s coach. “He’s calm and collected at times, and he’s a hard coach at times, and that’s what we really need,” Tre’ said. “Sometimes if you do something wrong, he’ll yell at you, but then again, at the end of the day, you know he loves you.” Travis Williams, who played linebacker at Auburn just over
a decade ago, was promoted from defensive analyst to coach the linebackers after Lance Thompson’s departure, and he and Steele have their work cut out for them. The position group has minuscule depth after the departure of three senior starters — Kris Frost, Cassanova McKinzy and Justin Garrett. Tre’ and graduate transfer T.J. Neal provide some experience at linebacker, but Auburn will need inexperienced players such as Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams or even true freshman Tre’ Threat to contribute. “They’re good students of the game,” Steele said. “They’re just young and inexperienced. We got to develop them fast, but that’s not something that has not been done before. I’ve been coaching linebackers long enough, and of course, Travis [Williams] is doing a great job with them. He’s a good teacher.” A native of Mobile, Tre’ is familiar with Auburn and its tradition of solid defense. After several years of struggles on that side of the ball, he is now doing all he can to lead his unit — and his team — back to success after a disappointing 2015 season. “I watched (last year’s seniors) do it, and growing up, I watched a lot of great linebackers do it,” Tre’ said. “They took ownership, not only of the defense, but they also had part of the team, and that’s just the responsibility that I’m trying to take at Auburn.”
Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day
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