The Auburn Plainsman — A-Day Issue 04.05.2018 by The Auburn Plainsman

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Thursday, April 5, 2018

The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day Special Issue

Prince Tega ready to ‘take that step’ By NATHAN KING Assistant Sports Editor Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes has been meticulous in working with his new group since previous coach Herb Hand hit the road for Texas. The O-line has visibly flourished under his watch during spring practice, sans a few nasty injuries. Grimes has plenty of sizeable talent to work with, but there may be none more physically imposing on the line than the 6-foot-7, 300-pound Prince Tega Wanogho. Wanogho will likely start at left tackle next season for Auburn, but the Nigerian-born athlete isn’t taking his situation for granted. “Last week, a light came on,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. “Prince’s ceiling is very high. He’s very talented. He does have experience, and he’s a guy that we have challenged to take that next step.” “Experience,” while technically accurate, might be far-fetched for Wanogho’s position. The Montgomery product, who had already switched sports from basketball to football after leaving his home country, was the No. 9 prospect at his defensive line position coming out of high school. He was recruited by former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to be a quarterback killer. Wanogho moved to tackle in 2016 before starting seven games for the Tigers last season. Now, suddenly, the D-line transplant is one of Grimes’ anchors for the 2018 season. The rising junior admits lack of basics played a part in his early struggles last season, highlighted by the unit’s 11 sacks given up Week 2 versus Clemson. Grimes is now painstaking with Wanogho in his fundamentals. “He’s pretty tough, too,” Wanogho said of his new position coach. “He’s all about fundamentals, and I think we need that. Like everyone, all the linemen, we really need that.” Auburn’s offense has found itself trapped in a whirlwind of inju-

ries this spring, resulting in multiple first and second-team lineups from practice to practice. Now a veteran in the blink of an eye, Wanogho is tasked with leading a unit that Grimes hopes will blossom under competition, with three of the five spots essentially at a neck-and-neck race. For the Nigerian who once dreamed of playing in the NBA, the opportunity to lead an SEC offensive line to success likely wasn’t

on his radar four years ago. But he’s certain the timing couldn’t be better. “It’s a gradual thing,” Wanogho said. “It’s just the right time to take that step. We’ve got a lot of young players right now, and I just feel like it’s the right time. I played last year so I feel like they look up to me, and I try to take that step to lead them, just be a leader out there.”

AUBURN ATHLETICS

Prince Tega Wanogho (76) looks to be the anchor of Auburn’s offensive line in 2018.

Auburn defensive line could be among nation’s ‘greats’ By JAKE WRIGHT Sports Writer

Auburn’s defensive line will be one of the team’s strengths and has a chance to be dominant during the 2018 campaign. Rodney Garner’s squad will be on full display this weekend as Auburn will suit up for its annual A-Day spring game. The Tigers have depth along the line and will be able to rotate plenty of veterans into the mix. Last season, Auburn’s defensive line took over games and was a force that could not be stopped at times. NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper even believes that Auburn’s defensive front could rival Clemson’s, which had two draft eligi-

ble potential first-round picks return to school and is widely regarded as the best defensive line in college football. “That is a phenomenal group,” Kiper said. “That Auburn defensive front will be along with Clemson in producing an awful lot of NFL prospects. Clemson and Auburn are going to rival each other in terms of having great, great defensive lines.” The Tigers returns three of four starters from up front last year and also brings back most of its reserves. Dontavius Russell, Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson are the returning starters, while the starting job to replace Jeff Holland at Buck is up for grabs. “We do have one of the best defensive lines in college football,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. “There’s no doubt

about that.” Sophomores T.D. Moultry and Big Kat Bryant are looking for break-out seasons as they battle for the starting spot at Buck. Each recorded at least 1.5 sacks last season as freshmen. The veteran Davidson has high praise for his teammates and doesn’t expect production to be lost at 2017 All-SEC first-teamer Holland’s old spot. “T.D. has a strong chance of being a starter at Buck because he played a lot last year,” Davidson said. “Him and Big Kat really are battling it out pretty good this year. T.D., man, he’s a different guy. He only knows one speed.” Russell will be in his fourth season as a starter at defensive

» See D-LINE, 10

The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day Special Issue

Thursday, April 5, 2018

OH, BROTHER

Anders Carlson looking to continue Daniel’s

leg-acy as dominant kicker on The Plains By NATHAN KING Assistant Sports Editor Anders Carlson has big shoes to fill. The rising redshirt freshman kicker is the younger brother of Daniel Carlson, Auburn’s four-year starting placekicker from 2014-17 and a three-time finalist for the Lou Groza Award. Out of high school, Anders Carlson was the highest-rated kicker in the nation, casually booting 60-plus-yarders through with ease. When he arrived on The Plains last season, Carlson knew exactly what he was getting himself into. However, the Colorado Springs, Colorado, native trusts that sitting and learning in his redshirt season from the Southeastern Conference’s all-

time leader in points was a dream scenario for his progression. “That’s one of the biggest advantages I chose,” Carlson said of his redshirt year. “Having a redshirt year is a big reason why I came, especially with my brother. It’s been so helpful. Hopefully it will pay off. His progression has been smooth sailing this spring, as the 6-foot-5 kicker has been the star of special teams for the Tigers. That progression reached its climax March 31 at the team’s half-scrimmage, when Carlson nailed a 62-yard kick, albeit a dead-ball play. The play came on a 3rd-and-42 when head coach Gus Malzahn sought to stretch Carlson’s range to its limit. According to Carlson, he had room to spare, and his maximum kick could be up to 65 yards out.

His older brother, whose career-long was 56 yards vs. Louisville in 2015, was watching from the sidelines. “You can look at it two ways,” Carlson said. “Yeah, it’s brother-brother, but I like to think of it as I’m another kicker, he was another kicker. I’m just stepping in and doing my role here at Auburn just like any other kicker would. But obviously there’s something special between us.” Obviously. Carlson is one of the few freshmen in recent Auburn history to be 100 percent assumed as the Week 1 starter. Despite the monster kick being a dead play, he trusts in his ability to be just as masterful when the Tigers take on Washington in Atlanta. “You’ve always got butterflies no matter what,” Carlson said. “But we’ll be ready.”

Spring

SAM WILLOUGHBY / COMMUNITY EDITOR

Auburn Tiger kicker Anders Carlson (26) at Auburn’s spring practice on March 6, 2018, in Auburn,Ala.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

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PLAINSMAN PICK â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;EM: 2018 CFP Will Sahlie Sports Editor

Sumner Martin Sports Writer

Nathan King Asst. Sports Editor

Peter Santo Sports Writer

Tyler Roush Sports Reporter

Sam Willoughby Community Editor

events

a-day weekend schedule

5 p.m

Tiger Trail inductions($25, Auburn Arena) 5 p.m.

Wing Fling ($5, Raptor Center) 6 p.m.

The Brothers Osborne Concert (Free, Green Space)

friday

10 a.m.

Punt, Pass, Kick Contest (Kids free, Practice Field) 12 p.m.

Tiger Fan Fest (Free, Nichols Lawn) 1 p.m.

Jordan-Hare Stadium Gates Open 2 p.m.

Tiger Walk (Free, Donahue Drive) 3 p.m.

Kick-off ($5 general admission, students free)

saturday

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WHO TO WATCH FOR AT A-DAY 2018 spring game brings opportunity for certain Tigers to make statement By COLE McCAULEY Sports Writer

After an up-and-down 2017 season which ended with a 34-27 loss to UCF in the Peach Bowl, Auburn fans are excited to see last year’s SEC West champions take the next step.

A-Day, Auburn’s annual spring football game, offers a unique look into the development of returning players as well as a first look at that year’s crop of freshman. Gus Malzahn’s team is considered one of the deepest in the nation for 2018, however, there lies positions that will needed fill-

NATHAN KING / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

ing and require development of depth in order to compete in the rigor of the Southeastern Conference. Injuries have left voids across the board, and multiple Tigers are now able to earn their stripes in situations that weren’t expected at the conclusion of Auburn’s 10-4 campaign in

ADAM BRASHER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

2017. While A-Day is still only a spring scrimmage game, every year there seems to be a few players that exceed expectations or thoroughly impress both fans and coaches. Here is a look at a few players you should keep your eye on as A-Day rolls around.

AUBURN ATHLETICS

T.D. Moultry (55) during Auburn spring practice.

Anders Carlson (26) during Auburn spring practice.

JaTarvious Whitlow (28) during Auburn spring practice.

Paired with Big Kat Bryant as the expected replacements for NFL-bound Jeff Holland at the “Buck” position, Moultry, only a sophomore, has impressed early in spring practices. After not getting a whole lot of playing time as a true freshman, the coaching staff is expecting a lot out of the Birmingham native. Moultry, much like Holland last year, possesses elite speed and quickness and a knack for getting to the quarterback. Auburn will need production from Moultry if they want to replace Holland’s 2017 All-SEC production, and look for Moultry to prove that on A-Day. “He’s a freak of nature, some of the things he does,” linebacker Deshaun Davis said. “He’s going to bring another edge to our defense because of his abilities. He’s a fast guy.”

The second redshirt freshman on this list, Carlson is the younger brother of the SEC’s all-time leading scorer Daniel Carlson. But now, it’s time for a new Carlson to step up to the plate. Just as tall as his older brother, the 6-foot-5 Colorado Springs native was the top ranked kicker in the class of 2017 according to multiple recruiting sites. In the Tigers’ spring practice on March 31, Carlson cemented beliefs that he is ready to fill his brothers shoes with a 62-yard field goal that “would’ve probably been good from 70 yards,” according to head coach Gus Malzahn. While the elder Carlson brother certainly made a name for himself with accurate and powerful kicking during his four years as Auburn’s starter, fans should be relieved to know that it looks like the Tigers’ kicking duties are in good hands for the next few years.

After the departure of both Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway, the Tigers certainly have a hole to fill at running back, and redshirt freshman JaTarvious “Boobee” Whitlow has drawn much of the attention in early spring practices. After moving from receiver to running back and redshirting in his freshman year, Whitlow may very well be the back to watch. “I think he just did a great job of not going down,” guard Mike Horton said. “He’s not going to go down, he’s going to make you tackle him.” Whitlow has impressed coaches and fellow teammates with his “Madden”-like abilities and, with the starting running back spot as open as it is, look for Whitlow to impress on A-Day and earn a large role for the upcoming season.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

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WR injuries allow young Tigers to shine By TYLER ROUSH Sports Reporter

The picture at wide receiver will unblur itself for Auburn football this coming Saturday. Will Hastings, who finished the season finale with a game-high six receptions and 117 yards, will be out for the remainder of the spring with a torn ACL. Eli Stove, who head coach Gus Malzahn says will be back for the start of the season, joins Hastings with a torn ACL. Though his offense will be without key receivers, Malzahn said that he is comfortable with the healthy athletes. “We feel real good about our receiver depth I think we’ve got plenty of them to develop in the spring,” he said. Ryan Davis, who has practiced with a wrap on his knee, is recovering from a shoulder injury, and Kyle Davis is gone. During the A-Day scrimmage, Auburn will force production from lower-string

receivers. Though Davis and Darius Slayton will be returning, slot receiver Griffin King will be moved up to take Hastings spot. With Stove’s absence, tailback Devan Barrett is moving to wide receiver, primarily for speed-sweep formations. Another question is where receiver Noah Igbinoghene will be lining up after moving to cornerback for spring scrimmages. Cumulatively, 30.6 percent of Auburn’s 2017 receiving yards will be absent because of injury. The corps will feature a newcomer, however, with freshman Shedrick Jackson. Jackson is a three-star wide receiver from the class of 2018. King will join Jackson and tight ends Sal Canella and Jalen Harris in a newly renovated passing attack. A name that Auburn fans may also need to be on the lookout for is Marquis McClain, who is remembered mostly for his

long catch from Malik Willis in Auburn’s blowout of Georgia in November. McClain is physically imposing for a receiver — at 6-foor-2, 230 pounds, the Crestview, Florida native has been given ample oppurtunites this spring thanks to the injuries in the receiving corps. “You can see that the light is clicking on, and really on special teams,” Malzahn said. “He’s really showed up big in special teams this spring.” Malzahn said that the passing offense has enough depth moving forward, and the tight end position will play a bigger role. “The good thing is we’ve got quite a bit of depth,” Malzahn said. “You look at last year at this time, we didn’t have a whole lot of wide receiver bodies because most of the guys that played were true freshmen coming in.” Regardless of injury, the development of Auburn’s offense will be on display for A-Day.

NATHAN KING / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Devan Barrett (5) could find himself more involved in the passing game in 2018.

The Auburn Plainsman: A-Day Special Issue

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTOGRAPHER

Jarrett Stidham (8) looks to make a pass during A-Day on Saturday,April 8, 2017 in Auburn,Ala.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

AUBURN ATHLETICS

Daniel Carlson (38) kicks a 42-yard field goal during A-Day on Saturday,April 8, 2017, in Auburn,Ala.

Has A-Day success for MVPs carried over? By WILL SCHUETTE Sports Writer After claiming a seven-year, $49 million contract extension this winter, Gus Malzahn is preparing to coach his sixth A-Day game as Auburn’s head man on Saturday afternoon. Malzahn’s return drew a record crowd of over 83,000 fans to see the Tigers play their spring game in 2013, and many of his players have taken an opportunity to stand out in April’s annual scrimmage inside Jordan-Hare Stadium since. Let’s take a look at some of the top performers in each of Auburn’s A-Day games during Malzahn’s tenure thus far. 2013 TOP PERFORMERS: RB CAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE, LB JUSTIN GARRETT, WR RICARDO LOUIS

While Auburn was making its way toward what would become one of the most incredible turnaround seasons in college football history, the stars of the upcoming season were not prominently featured on A-Day. Heisman finalist Tre Mason played sparingly and eventual starting quarterback Nick Marshall was not even on campus yet. Instead, junior college transfer Cameron Artis-Payne saw most of the action at tailback. Artis-Payne earned Offensive MVP honors, going for 164 yards and a touchdown on 20 touches. The junior only received 91 carries during the 2013 season, but his spring game performance was the first sign of what would amount to 1,608 rushing yards in 2014. Due to injury problems, linebacker Justin Garrett never became a significant contributor on Auburn’s defense until his senior season in 2015, but he made one of the plays of the game with a fumble returned for a touchdown to earn Defensive MVP honors. Louis made eight receptions for 66 yards on A-Day before catching 28 passes for 325 yards during his sophomore season.

2014 TOP PERFORMERS: QB NICK MARSHALL, RB COREY GRANT, LB KENNY FLOWERS

In his first and only opportunity to play on A-Day, Nick Marshall made the most of it. The senior quarterback threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns in his attempt to show he had improved as a passer from the previous season. Marshall earned the game’s Offensive MVP award and went on to surpass his 2013 passing numbers by over 500 yards and six more touchdowns in 2014. Change-of-pace running back Corey Grant had a big day with 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on just five carries. The senior’s explosive A-Day performance did not quite transfer over to his final season at Auburn, however, as he would drop off in production from the prior year and finish with only 364 rushing yards. Linebacker Kenny Flowers became known for making his presence felt on A-Day and earned Defensive MVP in 2014, but he would never play much aside from special teams throughout his Auburn career. 2015 TOP PERFORMERS: QB JEREMY JOHNSON, WR MYRON BURTON JR., S TRAY MATTHEWS

The Jeremy Johnson hype train that entered the 2015 season gained a great deal of its momentum from his A-Day performance in which he went 14-of-22 passing for 252 yards yards and two touchdowns. Both scores came on passes of 36 yards or more. There were not many doubting Johnson’s talent after the 2015 spring, but it never came together for him when the season arrived. Johnson threw for just 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2015 and lost his starting job four games into the season. The game’s Offensive MVP was redshirt freshman receiver Myron Burton Jr., who made seven catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. Burton Jr. left the program shortly before the season began and has since played football at Mesa Community College.

Safety Tray Matthews took Defensive MVP honors in his return to action after being forced to sit out the 2014 season as a transfer from Georgia, but he would not yet become a staple in Auburn’s 2015 defense largely due to injury. Matthews sustained injuries to both of his shoulders during the 2015 season and did not play in five games. The redshirt sophomore still finished the season with 45 tackles and two interceptions. 2016 TOP PERFORMERS: K DANIEL CARLSON, DE/OLB CARL LAWSON

A-Day in 2016 was a bit of an ugly game as neither side had much success punching it into the end zone, but it gave plenty of opportunities for kicker Daniel Carlson to shine. Carlson went 5-of-5 on field goal attempts, with two coming from 52 and 55 yards out. The specialist went on to make 28-of-32 field goal attempts in 2016 and became a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, something he also accomplished in 2015 and 2017. After being plagued by injury each of the last two seasons, defensive end Carl Lawson showed again the player he could be while healthy in the spring game. The game’s Defensive MVP brought a pass rush back to Auburn’s defensive line and went on to record 9.5 sacks in 2016 before being selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. 2017 TOP PERFORMERS: QB JARRETT STIDHAM, WR NATE CRAIG-MYERS, DE/OLB PAUL JAMES III

All eyes were on Baylor transfer and potential starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham on A-Day last season, and he did not disappoint. Stidham displayed pinpoint accuracy while also being able to throw the ball down the field, something Auburn’s quarterbacks in 2016 struggled with. The redshirt sophomore finished the day 16-of-20 passing for 267 yards and ran for a touchdown as well. He went on to start all 14 games for the Tigers in 2014 and threw for 3,158

» See MVPS, 10

Thursday, April 5, 2018

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Thursday, April 5, 2018

‘Something you see on Madden’ RB Jatarvious Whitlow climbing depth chart By NATHAN KING Assistant Sports Editor

AUBURN ATHLETICS

Big Kat Bryant (1) has turned heads in spring camp.

D-LINE » From 3

tackle, touting 6.5 tackles for loss last season along with three sacks. Derrick Brown is coming into his second season as a starter at nose tackle and recorded 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumbles last season. Davidson will be starting his third season at defensive end and is looking to improve upon a three sack, six tacklefor-loss 2017 campaign. Nick Coe was his backup last season, but didn’t lack in production. The freshman boasted two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. JUCO transfer Daquan Newkirk, who tore his Achilles earlier in the spring, is a dynamic athlete who could eventually compliment the group well and will push for playing time when he is healthy in the fall. “The great thing about our defense right now is we have a lot of veterans that have played,” Malzahn said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that I consider to be really good football players.”

In his 2017 recruiting class, Gus Malzahn may have found a diamond in the rough. Meet JarTarvious “Boobee” Whitlow, a rising redshirt freshman receiver-turned-tailback who could be a show-stopper at Auburn’s 2018 A-Day spring game. A product of LaFayette High School — 25 miles from the campus of Auburn University — Whitlow is playing his third position in as many years after playing quarterback his senior year at the Lee County school and receiver his true freshman season as a Tiger. Thankfully for Malzahn and Chip Lindsey’s now-injury-ridden skill positions, each of Whitlow’s transitions along the offense have been seamless. After a surprise signing late in the afternoon during Auburn’s 2017 National Signing Day, Whitlow redshirted his freshman year on The Plains with an ankle injury. Once he healed however, he blossomed in a do-it-all role for the offense in bowl and preseason practices. “Whitlow’s done a really nice job,” offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said after a Peach Bowl practice in Atlanta. “The [running backs], Malik Miller and those guys, have gotten reps throughout the season, but I think Whitlow has been a surprise. He got hurt early and has come back really well.” Now fully healed and anxious to bust through a young running back corps, Whitlow is shining in spring practices, making good on the potential flashed in his high school days, when he passed for 2,292 yards and ran for 2147 more in his final year at LaFayette, accounting for 59 total touchdowns in total.

That potential came to a head in Auburn’s first scrimmage of the spring, when Whitlow tore away from the defense for a 70-yard touchdown scamper for the offensive play of the day. According to his teammates, the freshman reversed Pat Dye Field multiple times, and beat the secondary with sheer speed. “It was something like you see on ‘Madden,’ where you just go one way and he reversed the other way,” Tigers guard Marquel Harrell said after the scrimmage. “It was a good run. It brought some energy to the field.” Whitlow’s offensive line, which will be the most crucial for his chances at a breakout spring game, has long awaited playing time for the athlete who they believe can be a “great player” for the future of the program. “I saw that about Boobee, I think, last fall camp,” guard Mike Horton said of Whitlow’s explosiveness. “I’ve always seen that about him. I’ve always spoke highly about Boobee. I know he’ll be a great player.” Thanks to performances like Whitlow’s and injury replacements, Auburn’s running back debacle of replacing Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway is becoming more transparent. Rising junior Kam Martin appears to be the starter going forward, and speedster Devan Barrett has moved to receiver full time, creating space for Whitlow, who has been receiving second-team reps in recent weeks. “It’s kind of like a (Kamryn) Pettway and Kerryon mix,” fullback Chandler Cox said of Whitlow. “He’s got kind of the shifty, kind of like what Kerryon does, but is more physical, like Pettway.” Regardless of the lineup decided for Auburn’s Week 1 matchup with Washington, Malzahn now possesses an all-purpose workhorse who, all of a sudden, boasts experience and respect before ever seeing the field.

MVPS » From 8

yards, the second-best single-season mark for an Auburn QB. One of Stidham’s top targets last spring was wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers, who had five catches for 154 yards, including a 50-yard reception down the right sideline. The performance landed Craig-Myers as a front-runner to be one of Auburn’s top playmakers in 2017, but he struggled to get open when the season arrived. The sophomore caught 16 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns while finishing fourth on the team in receiving. After finishing with three tackles for loss, James III looked to be another name to throw in with an extremely deep defensive line. However, the redshirt junior played sparingly and was forced to battle injuries again like he had done the previous season. He finished 2017 recording at least one tackle in just five games and left Auburn’s program before the start of this year’s spring practice.

SAM WILLOUGHBY / COMMUNITY EDITOR

Nate Craig-Myers (3) in Auburn spring practice.