The road to Auburn has been a long one for Austin Golson, but the new anchor of the offensive line has no regrets about his journey.
He was highly recruited out of high school as a four-star prospect and committed to Ole Miss. He was recruited as a tackle but got most of his experience at guard during his 12 games played as a freshman at Mississippi.
Golson, a native of Prattville, transferred to Auburn in May 2014 in order to be closer to his grandparents, who were experiencing health issues.
After sitting out in 2014 per NCAA transfer rules, Golson is expected to be Auburn’s starting center in 2015.
Because he had already mastered the other four positions on the offensive line, Golson was not worried when the coaches approached him about a position change at the end of last season.
“I was confident that I could do it, just had to learn to snap and get the communication right,” Golson said. “I watched [former Auburn center Reese Dismukes]. He’s one of the best that’s played here, and I learned a lot from him. I thought that [watching] helped me a pretty good bit.”
Dismukes was a Rimington Trophy winner as a senior, but Golson is not trying to be a copy of the All-SEC center.
“Reese is Reese, and I’m Austin,” Golson said. “A lot of people try to compare me to him, but I try to just do the best I can, and I hope that’s good enough.”
Golson has not played a game at Auburn yet, but he has already impressed his teammates on the offensive line. Alex Kozan, an All-SEC guard in 2013, has been pleased with Golson’s progress since his move to center.
“Austin’s a really athletic kid, and he’s smart too,” Kozan said. “He’s going to make a great center for us. The more reps we get together, the better we’re going to be together.”
After working at center in spring practice, Golson was able to perfect his snap during voluntary summer workouts.
“I think it was probably the most important two months of the year besides fall camp,” Golson said. “I’m very comfortable now. During the spring it was a little iffy, but I tried to snap at least 50 snaps every day this whole summer. I feel completely confident in the way that I snap now.”
The sophomore suffered a minor “lower body” injury early in fall camp that caused him to miss several practices and a scrimmage, but coach Gus Malzahn said Golson is back in action.
“It was just very minor,” said coach Gus Malzahn. “It was just something that we just need to make sure to take care of and we did. He’s back.”
As the season draws near, Golson is attempting to step up as a leader despite being one of the least experienced starters on a veteran offensive line.
“I want to be the leader,” Golson said. “All the past centers here have been leaders, and I would like to be a leader, but we need all five of us.”
Although his path to Auburn was a winding one, Golson wouldn’t change a thing about his past.
“The way I look at it is that God always has a plan for me and I just need to trust in Him,” Golson said. “I feel like he had a reason for me to go there and live out my goals, play as a true freshman. I’m happy with the way it worked out. I don’t regret anything.”
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