This spring should prove to be a great opportunity for Calvin Ashely to assert himself into Auburn’s starting lineup on the offensive line. After redshirting in his first season on The Plains, the former five-star recruit has a chance to show the coaching staff why he belongs on the field for the Sept. 1 season opener against Washington.

The Tigers lost four starting offensive linemen this offseason and of all the possible replacements on the roster, none are as physically gifted as Ashley. Rated as the No. 26 overall prospect in the 2017 recruiting cycle, Ashley is also one of the largest players on the roster. At 350-pounds, only defensive lineman Wilson Bell outweighs Ashley (355-pounds) and only three players are taller than the 6-foot-6 offensive lineman.

After offensive line coach Herb Hand left Auburn to become a co-offensive coordinator at Texas, Gus Malzahn brought back his former offensive line coach J.B. Grimes to coach up the unit. While Hand came to Auburn with more fanfare, the unit performed much better under Grimes’ tutelage.

With that in mind, Ashley’s teammate recently had this to say about the redshirt freshman’s performance this spring in practice while being coached by Grimes, according to Josh Vitale of AUNow.com.

“I think coach (J.B.) Grimes is just bringing that nasty out of him, because that’s what Calvin needs,” junior guard Mike Horton said. “He needs that nastiness to come out of him, and I think he has it in him, but I think Coach Grimes is definitely going to push him.”

That should be music to Auburn fans’ ears following an up and down season from the offensive line. Typically a strength, especially in the ground game under Malzahn, Auburn’s offensive line was suspect in losses to Clemson, Georgia, and LSU last season. That likely won’t be the case next season if Grimes gets his way.

If Ashley continues to develop and lives up to the hype of his massive recruiting ranking, there’s a good chance the program will have a nice anchor to build its line around for years to come.