Ashley could follow different path than Robinson

AUBURN | Offensive line signee Calvin Ashley reminds Gus Malzahn a lot of of former Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

That’s very good for the future of Ashley and Auburn, but Malzahn and offensive line coach Herb Hand are already carving out a different path for Ashley.

You see, Robinson redshirted his first season and then started the next two, leaving after his redshirt sophomore season. Malzahn would like to get at least three years of production out of Ashley.

“You think you do the right thing by redshirting, and he was here for two years and was the second pick in the draft,” Malzahn said. “You look at each individual different, but Calvin right now has a very similar skill set and is in a very similar spot as big Greg was.

“I think from a coaching standpoint, you learn through each process. My mindset, you know, is that he's going to come in here and compete. We'll just see what happens. I think that's what he wants to do. Matter of fact, I know that's what he wants to do. He'll come in, and we'll let him compete, and we'll see that happens.”

As a four-star and the nation’s No. 48 overall prospect, Ashley was the highest-rated prospect by Rivals in Auburn’s 2017 class. The 6-foot-7 and 330-pounder is expected to enroll at the end of May.

“He’s a guy that is going to provide us with some immediate assistance at our left tackle position and we think he’s got a great future,” offensive line coach Herb Hand said. “We're going to give him every opportunity and every chance to get into summer camp and show us that he's ready to go.

“We think from a skill set standpoint, he brings that to the table. In my coaching career, I've had the pleasure of working with five freshman All-Americans. We're looking for the next one.”

Malzahn and Hand were quick to credit tight ends and special teams coach Scott Fountain for his recruitment of Ashley. He helped secure a commitment from Ashley during the summer of 2015 and kept him committed for more than 20 months through a change of offensive line coaches and offensive coordinators along with 7-6 and 8-5 seasons.

“Calvin is a guy that stuck with us for two years,” Fountain said. “I'm just really proud of him and his family just believing in Auburn. He's going to be a real Auburn man for us.”