Lightening the load
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AUBURN, Ala. | Last season, Scott FountainClick [rl]Here to view this Link. tried to find a punter to step up and take some of the workload away from Daniel CarlsonClick [rl]Here to view this Link., but the redshirt freshman was clearly Auburn's best kicker and punter.
This year Fountain, who coaches Auburn's tight ends, H-backs and special teams, believes he has the answer in either junior college transfer Kevin Phillips or incoming freshman Ian Shannon.
Phillips, a walk-on, enrolled in January and has impressed Fountain during spring drills.
"At punter, I do feel like Kevin Phillips has done a good job for us this spring," Fountain said. "That ought to be a really good battle for us."
Shannon is expected to enroll at Auburn next month.
"I think Ian is going to be a big-time weapon for us at punter," Fountain said.
While Carlson continues to get some work at punter this spring, just in case, the plan is for the sophomore to focus exclusively on field goal kicking and kickoffs this upcoming season.
"It's very important," Fountain said. "Last year I thought Daniel did an excellent job as a freshman but I thought he was stretched out doing all three for us. Our goal is to get him back to doing what he does best and giving these other guys a chance to step up and be our punter."
Carlson made 18-of-24 field goals last season including a long of 51 yards. He had 50 touchbacks, was an Auburn record 57-of-57 on extra points, and averaged 42.0 yards per punt.
He's stepped up his kicking this spring making a 57-yard field goal in last Saturday's scrimmage.
"He's been impressive," Fountain said. "He had a strong leg last year and I've seen his leg has even continue to get stronger. He's got a little more accurate on his field goals I think we're very fortunate to have Daniel Carlson on the football team."
Auburn returns deep snappers Ike Powell and Zach Wade while Tyler Stovall, Jonathan Wallace or Phillips could be the holder.
The kick and punt returner won't be decided until preseason practice but Tim Horton, who coaches the running backs and returners, is looking at a few guys at both positions this spring.
Sophomore Stephen Roberts, junior Marcus Davis and junior college transfer Jason Smith have been getting most of the work at punt returner as Auburn looks to replace Quan Bray and his SEC-leading 18.1 yards per punt return last season.
"All three have done some good things," Horton said. "To be honest, the veterans have probably shined a little bit more than Jason at this point but we're going to continue to work Jason because he's a dynamic player.
"Stephen Roberts had a nice return on Saturday. Marcus has been real consistent with the way he's caught the ball as a punt returner."
Auburn hasn't worked as much on kickoff return this spring but Horton expects senior Ricardo Louis, junior Rudy Ford and sophomore Roc Thomas to be the main candidates.
Of course, a talented class reports this summer and Horton plans to give several true freshman a look in fall drills.
"I think Kerryon Johnson is a young man that has done some good things as a kickoff returner in the past but we'll take a look at several different guys there," he said.
