Late last season, Auburn decided to make the switch and pull Kaleb Kim in favor of sophomore Nick Brahms.
Brahms gained much needed experience, being the only player on the offensive line that would be returning this season. The Tigers lose starting tackles Prince Tega Wanogho and Jack Driscoll, as well as starting guards Marquel Harrell and Mike Horton.
Not only will four offensive linemen have to be replaced, but former line coach J.B. Grimes would opt to step away from the program, forcing Auburn to find a new offensive line coach.
Head coach Gus Malzahn didn't take long to decide, hiring Jack Bicknell away from Ole Miss just five days later.
While the players have only had limited time with Bicknell, Brahms has enjoyed his time with the new coach thus far.
“I was looking forward to going through spring with coach ‘Bick’ but with my limited time with him I’ve built a great relationship with him,” Brahms said on a teleconference Thursday. “He’s called me throughout the week, he’s stayed in great touch with me throughout this whole thing and I think he’s a smart guy. He’s obviously -- his resume speaks for itself. I’m really looking forward to a season with him and having him as our o-line coach. I think he’s a great asset.”
As the veteran among a young, inexperienced offensive line group, Brahms takes his role as a leader seriously.
“Yeah I definitely see myself as a leader,” Brams said. “The young guys come to me. They ask me questions about the offense, you know, maybe some situations that I’ve encountered throughout my time playing. Just really being an asset to those guys and making sure they have everything they need to move forward and understand the offense, learn why we do things and kind of set the standard in the o-line room.”
The underclassmen will have an opportunity to compete and earn a starting spot right away, with both guard and tackle spots open for competition.
Brahms said specifically he’s looking at junior Brodarious Hamm, and sophomores Keiondre Jones and Justin Osborne as potential breakout players.
Hamm has consistently been brought up in interviews by coaches and players as someone they’re expecting to breakout, while Jones is the highest-rated guard Auburn has brought in since Braden Smith, who now plays professionally for the Indianapolis Colts.
Without spring practice in the midst of COVID-19, Auburn will have a short timeframe to decide on the starters alongside Brahms before college football kicks off, if the season does end up happening.
“It’s just gonna come down to who’s the starting five and who can we count on and we’re gonna roll with those guys,” Brahms said. “I’m really looking forward to it and I’m excited for the season.”
The season, however, still remains in jeopardy. Many different solutions to play college football have been discussed, but as of now nothing has been decided on.
One of those solutions would be to play in empty stadiums.
“It would be weird to play in a stadium without any fans or anything just ‘cause, you know, we’ve been playing with a lot of fans these past couple years,” Brahms said. “But a positive side of that, I think, would be communication between the offensive linemen and Bo. I think that might be a benefit if we did do that. But not saying I wouldn’t want to play football without a crowd, but that might be a positive side of that.”
Brahms and Auburn are currently scheduled to start the season Sept. 5 at home against Alcorn State.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
