Player development and staying healthy is priority No. 1 during spring practice. Here’s five guys Auburn must continue to develop over its 15 spring practices ahead of the 2015 season:

5. Tim Irvin, DB: One of eight early enrollees this spring, this four-star athlete could provide instant depth in the Auburn secondary as a player with expansive athleticism and poise in coverage. The Texas flip has an edge on several defensive backs in the 2015 class who won’t arrive until summer.

4. Roc Thomas, RB: Expected to be one of Auburn’s primary ballcarriers alongside JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson (who appears game-ready) and Peyton Barber, Thomas scored two touchdowns as a true freshman and averaged 5 yards per carry on 43 attempts. He’ll try and separate himself from a crowded backfield next month as Gus Malzahn’s go-to running back heading into fall camp.

3. Melvin Ray, WR: With Duke Williams and Ricardo Louis planted as Auburn’s unquestioned top returning options at receiver, this rising senior is looking to make the most of his opportunity no longer behind Sammie Coates and Quan Bray. Ray’s not going to shock the SEC with a 35-catch season considering he has only collected 13 total receptions since arriving post-minor league baseball in 2012, but his ability to stretch the field as a deep threat could keep defenses honest in three-wide receiver sets and benefit the offense.

2. Jeremy Johnson, QB: Nick Marshall’s heir apparent in the gun, Johnson is the Tigers’ first draftable quarterback since Cam Newton in 2010 thanks to a cannon for an arm and extreme accuracy. It’s important for offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to keep Johnson healthy this spring as he continues to develop pocket presence and matures into a reliable, every-snap threat. Fine-tuning his skillset is key.

1. Carl Lawson, DE: If Will Muschamp plans on his defense creeping into the elite this season, Lawson must be the game-changing pass rusher he was turning into pre-injury as a five-star true freshman in 2013. The leader of the Tigers’ defensive front along with Montravius Adams, Lawson’s return as an impact player is vital to Auburn’s chances at competing for a Western Division title.