With one week left to go before the annual A-Day Game, the Auburn football team headed to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday for their third-to-last practice of spring camp.
While the Tigers were originally scheduled to have a full scrimmage Saturday, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn decided to call an audible.
"We didn't have a scrimmage today," Malzahn said in his post-practice press conference. "We came over here the first part of practice was a lot of clean-up. We even went back just to some basic fundamentals as far as our alignment, assignment stuff the first half of practice. Second half of practice we got after it pretty good, had a lot of 11-on-11."
Auburn starting quarterback Nick Marshall, who is Malzahn's first returning starter at the position in his collegiate coaching career, did not get as many reps Saturday as spring camp draws to a close.
Mixing and matching across the depth chart has been a theme in recent practices, and the quarterback position was no different on Saturday.
"We're just trying to get different guys looks," said left guard Alex Kozan. "Coach Malzahn is pretty confident in what Nick can do, and so are we. We're just trying to get different guys looks and find out what other guys can do."
One of the positions were there has been a lot of mixing and matching has been the defensive line. Due to injuries, a few defensive tackles have taken reps at defensive end in what Gabe Wright called the "Rhino" package.
Despite the depth issues, sophomore Carl Lawson says he has been impressed with his unit's progression this spring.
"It's been great," Lawson said. "We know we have some guys out, but every day is a blessing, and I'm glad I get a chance to come out here and work."
With two practices left before A-Day, several Tigers are excited to get back in front of the fans next Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Wide receiver Sammie Coates said he has been looking forward to hitting the field alongside a reloaded depth chart with several impressive newcomers.
"Everybody is going to turn your heads," Coates said. "All of the young guys are playing real good. They know all of the plays and are locked-in. They're making big plays. It's going to be eye-opening to see how good they do next week."
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