Truesdell 'a big, powerful man'

AUBURN | Tyrone Truesdell arrived in Auburn at the end of May needing to transform his body and his mind if he was going to have a chance to play this season, or really any season.

That transformation took place faster than perhaps even Truesdell could have imagined.

“I think the transition for offensive and defensive linemen is difficult anyway, but to make it in a position where he was at the time, kind of thrown in the fire real quick, he worked through it,” defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. “Probably the first week, he was wondering if he was going to get through it. But he did. He got into football playing shape and has really had a good camp.”

Truesdell was overweight and coming off a disappointing senior season at Laney High School in Augusta, Ga., when he reported to Auburn three months ago. He lost more than 25 pounds, adjusted to his demanding defensive line coach, Rodney Garner, and is now part of the playing rotation at defensive tackle.

Garner knew Truesdell faced a big adjustment and was a bit skeptical on how long that would take.

“Hasn't been pushed at all. You talk to his coach — he ain't had to do much of nothing,” Garner said in July. “He was so much better than everybody there that he didn't have to run in no drills. He didn't have to do nothing but show up and play. It's been more of a culture shock for — the expectation and the intensity level of practice.

“After you sign the kids and try to prep them for what it's going to take, I don't think they'll believe it but you try to tell them — the biggest adjustment for you is the intensity of practice. The way we go about practice — it's shocking. Some of them don't really get that until they get there. Then they're like: Dang.”

After surviving his first fall camp under Garner, Truesdell will be suiting up for the Tigers in just one more day. What can be expected out of the true freshman this season? His coaches seem to be in agreement.

“He's a talented, strong man. He's is so strong. He is so doggone strong,” Garner said.

“He’s a big, powerful man. Big-bodied, big powerful man,” Steele said. “He can command double teams in there, hold his point, hold the gap.”