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Reese Dismukes, a player who always led by example with his business-like approach, will be sorely missed on the Plains this season.
The anchor of Auburn’s offensive line during his tenure as a 50-game starter, Dismukes is spending the next few weeks staying in shape in prep for April’s NFL Draft while the Tigers continue to trudge along in search of a new center.
During the first week of spring practice, Austin Golson and Xavier Dampeer — a few of several new faces on the Auburn offense — shared first-team reps at Dismukes’ old position. Golson played on the interior in 12 games as a true freshman at Ole Miss during the 2013 season before sitting out last fall after transferring.
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Golson, who practiced with the Tigers in December during Outback Bowl prep, already has the trust of Jeremy Johnson, Nick Marshall’s replacement at quarterback.
“I love all my linemen, but that’s one of my closest linemen because he’s the center,” Johnson said. “I’ve been knowing him for a while (high school playing days) and he’s going to be great at center.”
Coach Gus Malzahn isn’t putting any undo pressure on Golson or (JUCO transfer) Dampeer on a rebuilt offensive line, but the center position is crucial to Auburn’s success based on snap count and tempo.
The Tigers have scored 80 touchdowns on the ground over the last two seasons and have averaged an SEC-best 293.2 rushing yards per game.
“From a center’s standpoint, it’s very important to what we do,” Malzahn said. “It’s almost like another quarterback as far as everything we ask him to do with our no-huddle scheme and the pace that we play, to ID and all that.”
Dampeer was Dismukes’ primary backup last season, but rarely saw action. The center spot appears to be Golson’s job to lose, but Dampeer and Deon Mix will see time, according to Malzahn.
The Tigers have turned up the heat a bit thus far on the practice field, hoping to grasp a competitive edge after what most associated with the program deemed a disappointing season. Returning to dominance starts up front and Auburn has the depth to produce one of the SEC’s better units.
Tackle Avery Young steps into a leadership role as one of three returning starters on a unit that will also benefit from Alex Kozan being back in the mix, a preseason All-American last fall who missed the entire season after injuring his back during camp.
Auburn’s expected to be more balanced this season with Johnson at quarterback, a player who prefers staying in the pocket but is comfortable on the move. Rarely leaned on to beat the opposition through the air, Marshall completed 60 percent of his throws during two years as the Tigers’ starting quarterback and did most of his damage with his legs.
Johnson, the more natural passer with a commanding presence at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, has a career completion rate that’s considerably higher in limited action.
The Tigers are off for spring break and have 10 practices remaining.
