When players enroll early, they’re often considered on the fast track to playing as true freshmen. They benefit from the experience of spring practice and get to workout with their new teammates during the summer months. But what does a team do for an early enrollee facing a stacked depth chart?
SEC Country’s Brandon Marcello caught up with Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton to discuss how the team handles a situation like Malik Miller, who participated in the spring, but could be behind three other running backs heading into fall.
The overall goal is to get the most out of Miller’s eligibility:
“One thing I think it is really important is let’s not waste a year on people.”
Since the depth chart can change at any time, the Tigers will have Miller ready to play:
“A little bit, but our approach right now with him is ‘Hey, you’re getting ready to play,’” Horton said. “Because things happen. People get hurt. Even last year — it’s the middle of the second quarter in the opener and we’ve lost our first two tailbacks. You lost Jovon and you lost to Roc to injuries and really that’s how Peyton (Barber) got to play.”
But that doesn’t mean Horton is necessarily against redshirting:
“If they can help you win in any way, you play them. But let’s always take the kid’s best interest at heart. Nothing’s wrong with redshirting. I think redshirting is a good thing and sometimes people perceive it as not, but it’s a great thing.”
AU running backs Jovon Robinson, Roc Thomas and Kerryon Johnson are expected to carry the bulk of the workload if all three stay healthy.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
