Football is back.
Spring ball is underway for Gus Malzahn's 2019 Auburn squad, beginning Monday on The Plains.
Malzahn broke down roster changes and injury updates before the media was given a 20-minute viewing period at the Tigers' practice facility. Here's what The Plainsman observed.
Offense
- In standard zone-read drills, Malzahn watched closely as quarterbacks Bo Nix, Malik Willis, Joey Gatewood, Cord Sandberg and Wil Appleton rotated to run the drill with running backs JaTarvious Whitlow, Kam Martin, Malik Miller, D.J. Williams, Shaun Shivers, Jacob Jasinski and Harold Joiner. There seemed to be no correlation between quarterback and running back.
- Williams showed impressive speed and was complimented on his footwork multiple times by running backs coach Cadillac Williams. The freshman worked for much of the viewing period as the third running back.
- Gatewood and Nix had the least to fix in Malzahn's eyes, or, at least, he made the least corrections to them.
- The quarterbacks worked with mixed lineups. For example, Seth Williams appeared to be with the second strings, while Eli Stove, with a brace on his knee, was with the first team.
- Kaleb Kim worked as the first team center.
- Offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham was an energetic as advertised, running in between drills and stopping players who weren't completing a drill to his liking.
- Whitlow is certainly making an early case to be Auburn's offensive leader in 2019. During team stretches, in which he was the only player holding a ball, Whitlow danced and yelled throughout. Whitlow was the second running back behind Kam Martin.
- Senior Bailey Sharp was winning offensive line power drills "by a longshot," according to O-line coach J.B. Grimes. Left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho forced Grimes to stop mid-drill twice to fix his hand placement.
Defense
- Senior defensive back Javaris Davis wore an orange noncontact jersey and was limited in drills throughout the viewing period. Sophomore Christian Tutt started at nickel in Davis' absence.
- Defensive lineman Daquan Newkirk and defensive back Jordyn Peters, who will both miss spring ball with foot injuries, were in scooters. Peters had a wrap on his right foot that went all the way above the ankle while Newkirk had a small brace.
- Chandler Wooten, K.J. Britt and Zakoby McClain worked as the starting linebackers.
- In secondary drills, defensive back coaches Wesley McGriff and Marcus Woodson were working in tandem.
- Look for Zakoby McClain to be a leader on Auburn's defense, as well. He was walking freshmen Derick Hall and Owen Pappoe through drills.
- Pappoe was complimented on his closing speed by Kevin Steele.
- Pappoe, T.D. Moultry and Big Kat Bryant worked along the second team defensive line.
- The starting defensive line consisted of Derrick Brown, Nick Coe, Tyrone Truesdell and Marlon Davidson.
- Sophomore corner Roger McCreary was replacing Jamel Dean at one of the starting cornerback spots.
- Devan Barrett and Jamien Sherwood worked with the second team secondary; Christian Tutt was with the first team.
Special teams
- Sophomore kicker Anders Carlson handled punts while punter Arryn Siposs is out of town on his honeymoon.
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Nathan King | Sports Editor
Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.