Ask any football coach what he wants to accomplish in spring practice and they’ll all inevitably say the same thing: Stay healthy.
Installing game plans, evaluating talent and teaching fundamentals are all important, but staying healthy is the first and most important goal. As Auburn heads into its spring game Saturday, it is very clear the Tigers did not accomplish that goal.
Spring practice has been bumpy. The injuries will certainly test their depth during summer workouts and even this season. Here are five things to keep in mind as Auburn approaches its A-Game on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network):
Stidham’s backups take center stage
Jarrett Stidham, who has been extremely limited this spring with a sore shoulder, won’t play in the A-Day game, but he will participate in a 7-on-7 session beforehand. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said recently that Stidham should be fine this fall. Stidham doesn’t need the live snaps Saturday. He proved he’s more than ready for SEC competition last season when he was named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year and garnered various All-SEC honors.
Auburn fans will get a chance to see Stidham’s projected backups Saturday: Malik Willis and prized recruit Joey Gatewood (below). Malzahn has been complimentary of Willis, who played in seven games last season. Gatewood should be exciting to watch. He enrolled in January as one of the highest-ranked dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Even if Stidham doesn’t play, Auburn’s quarterback play should be entertaining.
Wide open
Injuries will provide ample opportunity for Auburn’s backup receivers during A-Day. Receivers Eli Stove and Will Hastings suffered torn ACL’s this spring. Replacing Stove’s versatility and Hastings’ overall production won’t be easy. Stove was as much a rushing threat as he was a receiving threat. Hastings was Auburn’s third leading receiver in yardage last season.
Much like the quarterback position, injury absences will open the door for some inexperienced players. It will be intriguing to see who steps up Saturday. However, Auburn’s incoming signees also figure to be a factor when they enroll this summer.
Center of attention
Auburn is expected to rely on walk-ons at center during the A-Day game because of (you guessed it) injuries. Projected starter Kaleb Kim isn’t expected to play because of an injured right ankle. The Tigers already lost Nick Brahms with a broken leg. That leaves the Tigers with one scholarship center, Tucker Brown. However, Brown has also been slowed this spring with an undisclosed injury.
The injuries will give at least two walk-ons an opportunity to impress Auburn’s coaching staff. Phelps Gambill and Trent Kelley seem like the most likely players to fill in Saturday. The inexperience could certainly lead to some confusion on the offensive front which could make for a long day for Auburn’s quarterbacks. Look for the Tigers’ coaching staff to keep things simple up front.
For kicks
Anders Carlson got his teammates’ attention when he booted a 62-yard field goal recently in practice. If the name seems familiar, it should. Anders is the younger brother of former Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson, who just happened to be an All-American. There is pressure on the younger Carlson to follow up on his brother’s success. So far, the redshirt freshman is living up to the hype. Anders was rated as one of the top kickers in the nation out of high school. Expect Auburn coaches to give Anders a chance to show off his big leg Saturday.
Don’t get hurt
Malzahn recently felt the need to defend his strength and conditioning program amidst all the injuries the Tigers have endured during spring practice. The last thing Auburn needs is to have a player suffer an injury in its spring game in front of thousands of fans. Moreover, the Tigers don’t need to lose any more contributors — especially at receiver. Expectations are huge for Auburn after its incredible run to the SEC Championship Game last season. Malzahn’s hefty new contract also raises those expectations. Malzahn and the Tigers need to get to the season with the healthy players they have left.
Conclusion
This has certainly been a spring practice that Malzahn and his coaching staff would just as soon forget. That was obvious when Malzahn defended his strength and conditioning program. Don’t expect much contact during the A-Day game. That is surely what fans want to see, but it’s just not prudent at this point. Auburn figures to be a factor in the SEC West and an SEC championship contender. Spring practice has done nothing to help them in that regard. The good news is that Malzahn’s offensive mind should be able to work around the receiver injuries that Auburn has endured and the center position should be in better shape by the time fall camp rolls around.
However, it’s fair to question Auburn’s off-season training program given the amount of injuries the Tigers have endured. If Auburn ever has a spring practice like this again, expect Malzahn’s strength and conditioning program to be under an even stronger microscope.
Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.
