Bryson Washington is starting to look like the back Auburn thought it was getting when he came over from Baylor.
It just didn’t happen right away.
Washington arrived in Auburn with production and experience, but the Tigers didn’t get much of a chance to see him during spring practice. Injuries played a part in that, and so did something else he admitted himself: he was not in the kind of shape he needed to be.
"When I first got here, I was like out of shape," Washington said. "I wasn't where I wanted to be at like my size weight wise."
From there, the fix was obvious. Washington attacked his body and made a noticeable change.
"I took a big step, you know, getting back lean to my body mass," Washington said.
That work has started to show up on the field. After Auburn’s recent scrimmage work, Alex Golesh singled out Washington’s growth, including his ability to stay out there through longer drives.
That matters a lot in this offense, because Auburn wants to play fast. Really fast.
Washington said that even though Baylor used tempo, what Auburn does is a different animal.
"Although we ran tempo at Baylor, it's different," Washington said. "Like the mechanics of everything, how they do it here."
He’s spent the last few months getting his body ready for that pace, and now Auburn is seeing the payoff. Instead of getting pulled quickly, Washington can handle extended series without the Tigers having to get him off the field right away.
"Yes, I get tired, but I know how to control it," Washington said.
That gives Auburn another layer in a backfield that already has a few moving parts. Jeremiah Cobb is the clear starter and should get the bulk of the carries.
Omar Mabson has been one of the biggest stories of fall camp. Washington now adds another name to the mix.
He also knows he brings a different element than the others.
"You're going to get something different from every running back that gets in the rotation," Washington said.
For Auburn, that’s a good problem to have. Washington gives the Tigers an experienced runner who has already produced at the Power Four level and now looks physically better suited for what Golesh wants from his offense.
His first shot at showing it will come against a familiar opponent: Baylor.
Washington said he’s looking forward to it, but he’s not turning it into anything bigger than that.
"I most definitely look forward to it, you know, playing my old team," Washington said. "But I look at it as just another game."
The game may be ordinary to him. Getting him ready for it was not.
And because Auburn’s running back room is so deep, there’s no need to force the issue. Washington has time, experience and now, it appears, the body to be a dangerous piece in Golesh’s offense.
In Other News...
Broncos Roster Call Could Leave Auburn Fans Loving Their QB Room
The Broncos are nearing a decision on their 53-man roster, and for Auburn fans, the quarterback picture in Denver is worth a close look. Bo Nix, the former Tigers standout, is expected to be part of a two-man quarterback room that also includes Jarrett Stidham, while Sam Ehlinger could wind up on the practice squad if the numbers break that way. Sean Payton has made it clear the question of whether to keep a third quarterback is only one of several roster matters still being sorted out.
For Auburn followers, the bigger takeaway is simple: Nix appears positioned to begin his NFL path with a real shot at meaningful snaps, not buried in a crowded depth chart. Denver spent the offseason dealing with plenty of quarterback chatter, including outside speculation tied to Aaron Rodgers, but the current expectation is that Nix and Stidham will headline the room. However the final roster shakes out, Auburns interest in this spot isnt going away anytime soon. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn May Have An Intriguing Tight End Project Developing
Xavier Newsoms path to Auburn has been as unusual as it is intriguing. He started his college career at Howard as a reserve tight end after originally being recruited as an edge rusher, and when Howard head coach Larry Scott moved to Auburn, Newsom followed and kept working at the same position. For Auburn, that kind of background gives him a different kind of value, especially with his size and the fact that he already knows what it looks like to play from the defensive side of the ball.
The Tigers are still developing him, but there is enough there to keep coaches interested. Newsom is viewed as someone who can grow into a useful blocker and eventually offer something in the passing game, even if he is not presently a primary receiving target. For a program always looking for hidden pieces, a player who arrives with physical tools, defensive instincts and room to climb can be worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Still Has One Roster Decision Hanging Before The Opener
A Colorado judges ruling that extended eligibility for all Class of 2022 college athletes has added another layer of uncertainty to roster building across college football, and Auburn is dealing with the ripple effects as fall approaches. Coach Alex Golesh said the Tigers have had to manage additions carefully while sorting through what the ruling and the NCAAs new five-for-five eligibility structure could mean for a roster that is still taking shape.
One of the latest pieces is former Troy wide receiver Tray Taylor, who can practice with Auburn but is not yet cleared to play in games. Golesh framed the situation as part of a broader roster-management puzzle, with the Tigers trying to stay flexible until the eligibility picture settles and one final decision becomes clearer before the opener. [Read more 🡒]