Spring practice notebook: QBs go live in first scrimmage; offensive weapons stepping up; insider notes
Quarterback Joey Gatewood watches his helmet roll away after a hit from Sam Sherrod. Quarterbacks were live Saturday. Auburn football scrimmage on Saturday, March 30, 2019 in Auburn, Ala.
On a perfect mid-morning on The Plains – 74 degrees and sunny – Gus Malzahn set the quarterbacks loose inside Jordan-Hare.
At Auburn's Saturday scrimmage, all four Tigers vying for the starting QB job – Malik Willis, Joey Gatewood, Cord Sandberg and Bo Nix – swapped their noncontact orange jerseys for standard blue ones.
The morning was closed to the media, but Malzahn and players informed about the main takeaways from the 91-play scrimmage.
Malik Willis makes a throw Saturday. Auburn football scrimmage on Saturday, March 30, 2019 in Auburn, Ala.
Offense
Malzahn ran 91 plays, rotating the quarterbacks for an equal number of live snaps with the ones, twos and threes. Malzahn said the film will give Auburn "really good information."
No players were held out.
Malzahn noted that the scrimmage was the eighth practice of the spring, putting the team a little over the halfway mark with two scrimmages left.
Malzahn said the scrimmage was "bland" as to keep things even for the four quarterbacks, but having contact with the QBs was key to learning more about their ability to extend plays and make quick decisions.
JaTarvious Whitlow and Kam Martin are the unquestioned leaders of the running backs room, but D.J. Williams and Harold Joiner had "good reps" today that impressed Cadillac Williams.
Only one running back fumbled on the day.
Whitlow has appeared more aggressive and is gaining more respect as an offensive leader, per offensive tackle Jack Driscoll.
Marquis McClain and Sal Cannella have impressed with their leadership ability in the receivers room. Seth Williams, who was an SEC All-Freshman last season, has improved his game further this spring, per Malzahn.
More on McClain: Malzahn said the junior has made some outstanding catches.
More on Joiner: Malzahn is continuing to utilize Joiner's versatility. Auburn gave him a chance to play tailback today, and he impressed all the coaches. Joiner also continues to work in the slot.
Alec Jackson, who moved from defensive line to offensive line, picked up the entire offensive playbook before spring ball started, according to Driscoll.
Offensive guard Mike Horton's pass protection has improved mightily in spring, per Driscoll. Horton is apparently holding his own against Derrick Brown in scrimmages.
Gatewood remains more impressive when given a chance to be live and take contact, per Driscoll.
Driscoll said going live was good for the offensive line, too, as they were finally able to fully implement what J.B. Grimes has been teaching.
Defense
As we've been hearing all spring, K.J. Britt is taking over the "Deshaun Davis-type" role as the leader in the middle of the defense.
Linebacker Zakoby McClain is showing "a natural nose for the football."
None of the quarterbacks took any big shots from defenders.
Freshman linebacker Owen Pappoe is "picking it up" faster than most freshmen, according to K.J. Britt.
Britt said the linebackers are embracing the "inexperienced" label and have gotten closer as a position group than he's seen.
Britt said the primary focal point for the defense has been to be as communicative as last year.
Insider notes
Here are a few more specific notes on the scrimmage, per a source.
Gus Malzahn is really looking for separation in the QB battle as quick as possible, and there may be a pecking order this week.
Roger McCreary was impressive at corner, breaking up a long pass to Seth Williams.
Malik Willis was sacked twice in a row in front of his own end zone. The first time, he couldn't handle the snap; the second time, he tried to scramble out of the pocket.
Backup receiver James Owens Moss is stepping up as a speedy offensive weapon without Anthony Schwartz, Will Hastings and Shaun Shivers participating in spring ball.
Cord Sandberg completed a long pass down the seam to true freshman tight end Tyler Fromm, setting up the offense just outside the goal-line. That drive also featured powerful runs from Joiner.
Sandberg went play-action two plays later, finding redshirt freshman receiver Jackson McFadden for a short touchdown pass.
Former blue-chip prospect Malcolm Askew is moving up the depth chart and is a consistent fixture in the second-team defense.
Senior defensive back Javaris Davis is still in a noncontact jersey. Davis told reporters two weeks ago he would be out of the orange jersey "soon" because he was primarily wearing it to be a coach on the field for Kevin Steele's defense.
Alec Jackson was impressive as a backup left tackle. On one particular play, he blocked all the way until the whistle, beating veteran D-lineman Tyrone Truesdell off the snap and driving him to the ground.
Joey Gatewood's helmet came off after he pulled on a zone read and was tackled. Bo Nix replaced him for the rest of the drive, which ended with a goal-line fade touchdown from Nix to Marquis McClain.
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