A-Day primer
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AUBURN, Ala. | Auburn's annual A-Day game is finally here and will be played rain or shine Saturday afternoon in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here's a look at seven things to watch during the spring game.
Backup quarterbacks: Sure, Jeremy Johnson is the presumed starter and poised for a breakout season. But we've seen a lot of Jeremy the past two years with his two starts and a number of other appearances.
But you can't say the same for the backups. Redshirt Sean White hasn't thrown an in-game pass since winning the MVP in the Under Armour All-American game more than 15 months ago. Freshman Tyler Queen is fresh out of high school.
This Saturday will be the first opportunity to see both in game-like action and how they handle playing under the spotlight and against a defense that's expected to bring a lot of pressure.
Running backs: Nobody is expecting Auburn to name a starting running back after spring practice but this will be the first opportunity to get a good luck at the three players competing for the position.
Roc Thomas played as a freshman last season but he's up over 200 pounds now. Saturday, the sophomore can show how he moves with the added weight and how well he can get yards between the tackles.
After being named a junior college All-American, Jovon Robinson comes to Auburn with a lot of hype. Can he produce some explosive plays Saturday and make a statement in his first 'game' in Jordan-Hare?
It will be a bit of a redemption moment for Peyton Barber, who hurt his knee on his first carry of last year's spring game and spent most of last season watching from the sidelines.
The new defense: Will Muschamp has had 13 practices to begin rebuilding Auburn's defense. Will we see a noticeable difference Saturday? To be honest, I'll be disappointed of we don't.
I think it's reasonable to expect a more aggressive, hard-hitting defense that puts more pressure on quarterbacks, makes more plays behind the line of scrimmage and creates more turnovers. Seeing is believing.
Rookie H-backs: The reports out of practice have been very positive in regards to freshmen H-backs Kamryn Pettway and Chandler Cox. The duo is expected to bring an exciting dynamic to the position with their ability to block and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Pettway, a redshirt freshman, moved from running back to H-back during bowl practice. Cox, a true freshman, enrolled at Auburn in January.
Young guns: Auburn will have five true freshmen and 10 redshirt freshmen in Saturday's game, and a number of those will be counted on to contribute this fall.
One of the top redshirts is defensive tackle Dontavius Russell, who is fighting for a starting position. A redshirt that's had a good spring on offense is wide receiver Myron Burton. Both will have a chance to show off their skills Saturday.
A true freshman competing for a starting position is Tim Irvin at the nickel safety. He's been limited with a hand injury most of the spring but has continued to practice.
SEC transfers: The positive reports on offensive lineman Austin Golson and safety Tray Matthews started coming in shortly after they arrived on campus last year. Now, both are on track to be starters.
Golson, an Ole Miss transfer, is working at center while Matthews, a Georgia transfer, is locked in at one of the safety positions alongside junior Rudy Ford.
Walk-on punter: Kevin Phillips is not the most well known newcomer on Auburn's roster but the junior could still be a very important part of the team this fall.
Phillips, a junior college transfer, has impressed during practices this spring and will compete with true freshman Ian Shannon for the punting position this fall.
It's an important competition as Auburn looks for a full-time punter that will allow Daniel Carlson to concentrate on field goals and kickoffs.
