Bryson Washington’s Auburn preseason has been anything but settled, but the running back appears to be gaining ground at just the right time.
After missing most of the spring and entering camp with some questions about his conditioning, the Baylor transfer has started to trend upward as Auburn works through the final stretch of fall camp. That matters because Washington had already been passed, at least temporarily, by sophomore Omar Mabson II in the Tigers’ running back pecking order. Head coach Alex Golesh said earlier in the offseason that Washington was still getting into playing shape.
Now, after Auburn’s second preseason scrimmage, Golesh says Washington is showing more of the player Baylor leaned on a year ago. Washington led the Bears in rushing last fall with 788 yards, and over three seasons in Waco he piled up 1,861 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
“Bryson, the last week, has shown why he’s been able to do what he’s done for the last couple of years," Golesh said Wednesday, Aug. 19. "He’s taken steps."
Golesh also pointed to Washington’s physicality, which has been more noticeable lately. With Jeremiah Cobb taking minimal reps Wednesday, both Washington and Mabson worked with Auburn’s first-rotation offense. Golesh said the long drives in practice were especially valuable for Washington as he continued pushing himself in the heat.
"I talked about the long drives today, and he needed that worse than anybody," Golesh said of Washington. "It was good for him to push through that.
He’s taken big steps. I can’t tell you that I’m proud of him yet.
I’m going to keep ripping his (expletive), but he’s come a long way."
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Golesh has also leaned into the value of longer, fast-tempo drives in practice, using fall camp to put the Tigers in the kind of situations they will have to handle once the games count. Auburn is still moving through its camp schedule with the opener approaching, and the scrimmages have given the staff a better read on how close the team is to playing at the pace and physical standard it wants. [Read more 🡒]