Auburn’s preseason camp hit a new gear Saturday morning when the Tigers put on shoulder pads for the first time, and the short media viewing window offered a quick look at how the roster is sorting itself out with Week 1 against Baylor still ahead.
The early portion of practice was spent stretching and going through position work inside on a hot, humid morning on the Plains. Music was pumping through the indoor facility, and Rich Homie Quan’s “Type of Way” was the first song heard during the viewing window.
Several players were working with the training staff after stretching, including Chris Murray, Devin Williams, AnQuon Fegans and Cody Sigler. Sigler was a new name in that group and was on the stationary bike by the end of the time media was allowed to watch.
Shamar Arnoux appeared to be back to full speed after spending the first two practices working individually with the training staff. Meanwhile, Bryson Washington, Champ Anthony, Malik Autry and Kaleb Harris were not seen during the viewing window.
Harris was later spotted in the indoor facility before the window closed. With Anthony, it’s also worth noting that Auburn has graduation today and he is one of two active players set to graduate.
Two players, Sylvester Smith-Reed and Christian Neptune, practiced in orange non-contact jerseys.
At running back, Washington’s absence changed the order. Jeremiah Cobb was first, followed by Omar Mabson II, Tae Medows and Nykahi Davenport. Medows, a Troy transfer, has moved into the top three.
There was also a notable look in the secondary during a catching drill. The cornerback order went Gavin Jenkins, Andre Jordan Jr., Blake Woodby, Rayshawn Pleasant and Arnoux. That does not lock Jenkins into a starting job, but the South Florida transfer is a name to keep an eye on as a possible breakout player.
Jordan stood out for having the most natural hands among the cornerbacks, while drops were an issue across the board for both wide receivers and defensive backs during the window.
Up front, senior defensive lineman Dallas Walker IV has dropped 17 pounds since last season and looked more explosive. Auburn will be counting on him to be a major piece in the middle of the defensive line.
Linebacker De’Marcus Riddick also looked like a player trending up after getting healthy again, moving at full speed with the linebackers on Saturday.
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The wideout group also began to take shape during the public viewing window, with Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton helping set the tone in receiver rotations. Those early pecking-order hints matter in camp because they can point to who is earning the first chances once the real evaluation begins, even if there is still plenty of time for the depth chart to shift. [Read more 🡒]
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