Auburn hit the field for day four of fall practice in shells during the media viewing portion of practice. Of note, a number of Tigers fielded punts early in the practice.
Experienced players like Star safety Robenson Therezie and wide receiver Quan Bray, who has returned punts in recent seasons, fielded punts alongside new faces like true freshmen Markell Boston and Stephen Roberts.
Jonathon Mincy, Marcus Davis and Rudy Ford also appear to be in the mix to replace Chris Davis Jr. in return duties.
On the offensive side, quarterback Nick Marshall is sharing practice time with backup Jeremy Johnson, just like in the spring, according offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.
"(Marshall)'s been really good going about his business and he's been throwing the ball pretty well," Lashlee said. "I've been proud of the way he's been competing and practicing."
Johnson has to take a big step of really maturing and leading like a quarterback, according to Lashlee.
"It's really that time to take that step in the maturation process, with just everything from leadership, to knowing the offense, to execution, to the way you are professional in meetings," Lashlee said. "And I think he's getting there, but that's the next step for him."
Lashlee said with his guys, it has been business as usual, but Johnson has been working really hard.
"The thing with Jeremy is he played a lot last year," Lashlee said. "We feel like he is very talented. We feel like if Nick wasn't the starter that he would play and play well. We feel good with nick and we feel good when Jeremy has to play."
The offseason has helped the quarterback duo put on some weight. Nick has probably put on 10 or 12 pounds and Jeremy's probably put on 10 pounds as well, according to Lashlee.
When it comes to Johnson starting game one, Lashlee would not go into much detail about the situation.
"I'm just saying coach said Nick's not starting the first game and that's where we're at and we are going to practice," Lashlee said.
The rest of the team seems ready to stand behind the young quarterback if he does start against Arkansas.
"Jeremy Johnson has come a long way from his freshman year," senior Brandon Fulse said. "Now he has stepped up. He's a leader. He's taking the game more seriously."
Lashlee said Marshall was 15-of-17 passing in a drill on Day 2.
Auburn coaches have now had four days to get their first look at freshmen from the 2014 recruiting class, a class that was ranked No. 6 nationally by 247sports.
Lashlee was impressed with freshman quarterback Sean White stepping up.
"Man he's throwing the ball well," Lashlee said. "He's got the calm and poise you want a quarterback to have."
The offensive coordinator believes they have some good depth in the backfield with the new freshmen.
Freshman Roc Thomas' athletic ability and quickness and freshman Kamryn Pettway's size and great hands are going to be helpful for the Tigers in 2014, according to Lashlee.
Lashlee likes their depth at the wide receiver position too. The young freshman wideouts Myron Burton and Stanton Truitt have done really well in practice, according to Lashlee.
"I think we have the best receiving core in the nation," Fulse said. "They block on the perimeter...and Sammie Coates, he's probably the best receiver in the SEC I think."
Brandon Fulse plans to be more involved with Auburn's passing game in 2014.
"This is a big role for everybody," Fulse said. "We open up holes. We get out perimeter blocks for running backs and receivers, we catch passes, protect for the quarterback. We do it all."
Lashlee feels like they have guys on the offensive line that are in good positions, but need more reps.
"Avery (Young) is that guy, to be honest with you, of our whole line that could play all five spots, from an ability standpoint," Lashlee said.
Freshman Braden Smith has a eally good chance to help the Tiger's offensive line in his first season according to both Lashlee and head coach Gus Malzahn.
Junior Devonte Danzey is working at left guard behind Chad Slade, which is where he was all spring.
"We're hoping (Danzey) will continue to take that next step and be that guy we can count on if someone goes down," Lashlee said.
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