Auburn’s first fully padded practice of preseason camp brought a new layer to Wednesday’s viewing window, and the Tigers used it to slip in an 11-on-11 period during the seventh practice of camp on Aug. 12.
That live segment gave a clearer look at how Auburn is lining up its rotations on both sides of the ball. The first group on offense and defense worked two series, and the opening one ended with a splash play from Koger, who went up over Gaskin, secured the jump ball and turned it into a long touchdown.
The second offensive rotation featured Tristan Ti'a at quarterback, as expected for QB2. He connected on consecutive throws to freshmen DeShawn Spencer and Brian Williams Jr.
Bryson Washington got the bulk of the work at running back with that group, while Troy transfer Tae Meadows also took a turn. Center Kail Ellis and tight end Xavier Newsom were part of the second rotation as well.
On the other side, Auburn’s second defensive line group included Cody Sigler, Darrion Smith and Malik Autry among a familiar collection of names.
There were also some notable injury and availability updates. Even after the safety room said it was getting healthier a day earlier, neither An'Quon Fegans nor Kaleb Harris was present for the public portion of Wednesday’s practice. Autry and Washington were back on the field, though Autry’s right hand was wrapped.
Christian Neptune and Sylvester Smith-Reed stayed in non-contact jerseys, while tight end Ryan Ghea and edge rusher Nate Johnson were not fully suited up during the opening period and instead worked on stationary bikes.
The offensive line picture in the first rotation looked unchanged from the positional work earlier in camp. Simmons, Best and Ramil continue to look locked in as starters, and Skinner has gained ground since camp opened in the battle for a starting guard spot.
One other detail from the practice: although Washington opened the 11-on-11 period at running back for the second unit, he was third in line during individual work, behind Mabson.
Champ Anthony was again the only defensive back to work with both the safeties and the cornerbacks.
Scouts from Arizona, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, New York (NFC), Seattle and Tennessee were also on hand.
In Other News...
Auburns New Era Is Already Turning Heads Across The SEC
Alex Golesh has barely settled into his new job at Auburn, but the early signs of his reset are already drawing attention around the SEC. After a stretch of instability that saw the Tigers cycle through six head coaches across a run of losing seasons, Golesh arrives with the kind of conference background that gives his voice some instant credibility, and he is wasting little time trying to change the feel of the program.
One of the clearest examples has come during fall camp, where players are staying together in a hotel as part of Goleshs effort to build a different culture. SEC analyst Paul Finebaum has already signaled support for the approach, seeing it as a positive step for a program trying to steady itself. For Auburn, the real test is still ahead, but the new staffs message is being noticed well beyond Tuscaloosa and the Plains. [Read more 🡒]
Kodi Burns Is Changing What Auburn Demands From Its Receivers
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For Auburn, the shift matters because the role of a receiver is becoming about more than route running and production on the stat sheet. Burns has already drawn praise from players like Keshaun Singleton and DeShawn Spencer, who say his impact has shown up in their development on and off the field, and the broader challenge now is clear - earn trust by doing the dirty work, adapt to multiple assignments, and prove you can stay on the field when the tempo starts picking up. [Read more 🡒]
Former Auburn Staffer Just Surfaced Inside Alabamas Program
A familiar football family is showing up around Alabamas practices, with Dave Wommack and Dominic Studzinski both spending time around the program. Dave Wommack, a retired defensive coordinator, has been around as a resource at practices and games, while Studzinski has been helping in the weight room even though he is not listed on the staff directory.
The connection runs deep, stretching back to their shared coaching days at Ole Miss in 2012 and 2013, when the same circle of personnel worked together in the South. For Auburn fans, the name attached to Studzinski may stand out even more because of where he worked before, making his quiet presence in Tuscaloosa the kind of detail that tends to get noticed long before it gets officially explained. [Read more 🡒]