After seven days of preparation to become the first team since 1998 to win back-to-back SEC Championships, the Auburn Tigers got a day off on Friday. Before the players and coaching staff get back on the field Saturday, here are highlights of what has transpired in the first week of fall camp.

QUARTERBACKS

  • Head coach Gus Malzahn started camp off by saying that Nick Marshall will not start the season-opener against Arkansas.
  • Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee hasn’t told Jeremy Johnson that he is starting against the Razorbacks.
  • Both Johnson and Marshall are learning the offense at the same speed.
  • Marshall was 15-of-17 passing in a 7-on-7 drill during Day 2.
  • Marshall and Johnson have gained approximately 10 pounds each. Marshall is now in the 212-215 pound range while Johnson is now around 228 pounds.
  • Freshman Sean White looked good in Wednesday’s scrimmage, passing the ball well.

RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS

  • Malzahn is not ready to name the starter at running back. He might throw both Cameron-Artis Payne and Corey Grant out there at first and see what happens.
  • There is a lot of competition behind them. Peyton Barber, Roc Thomas and Kamryn Pettway are all fighting for playing time.
  • Lashlee likes Pettway’s physical nature.
  • Brandon Fulse has moved to the fullback position and is trying to be as physical as Jay Prosch. Fulse brings a pass-catching dimension to the position.

WIDE RECEIVERS

OFFENSIVE LINE

  • Left guard Alex Kozan is out for the season with a back injury.
  • To replace Kozan, Chad Slade moved from right guard to left guard. Avery Young is lining up at right guard and Patrick Miller is at right tackle.
  • There is an entirely new left side to the line with Shon Coleman at left tackle and Slade at left guard.
  • Slade missed the first day of practice in pads but he is fine. Devonte Danzey filled in.
  • 6-foot-6, 299 pound freshman Braden Smith, nicknamed Drago and Hulk, has made an impression and has an opportunity to play.

DEFENSIVE LINE

  • Cassnova McKinzy, a natural linebacker, has lined up some at defensive end.
  • Junior college transfer Devaroe Lawrence missed two practices and the scrimmage because of an undisclosed injury.

LINEBACKERS

  • Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson is pleased with how McKinzy has improved since the spring.
  • McKinzy and fellow starter Kris Frost have looked great.
  • Some depth has been established since camp has opened.
  • Anthony Swain had 4 or 5 tackles and forced a fumble in the scrimmage.
  • Khari Harding hurt his wrist in the scrimmage but is fine.
  • Johnson will have no more than four or five linebackers on his two-deep depth chart.

SECONDARY

  • Jonathon Mincy will not start against Arkansas. Jonathan Jones will move from field corner to boundary corner to take Mincy’s spot.
  • How much time Mincy will miss against the Razorbacks is not known.
  • After both suffered injuries last year, Justin Garrett and Josh Holsey return.
  • Jermaine Whitehead thinks Holsey can made an impact and likened him to former LSU Tiger Tyrann Mathieu.
  • Garrett got hurt on Thursday. He was out for 10 to 15 minutes but returned.
  • Holsey, wearing a brace, misses reps occasionally with knee pain. He is coming off ACL surgery.
  • Coach Johnson likes the depth at safety but more depth at cornerback is needed.
  • Trovon Reed, coming from the offensive side of the ball, has missed time with a nagging injury.
  • Safety Derrick Moncrief missed one practice and half of another with an undisclosed illness and dehydration.
  • Freshman Nick Ruffin, recruited as a corner, has moved to the star safety position.
  • Freshmen defensive backs Markell Boston and Stephen Roberts aren’t ready to play on Saturdays but Johnson likes their physicality.

PUNTERS