Ten days prior to Auburn’s season-opening kickoff against Akron, head coach Bryan Harsin made some important announcements about his starting lineup.
“If we played a game right now, Bo [Nix] would be starting,” Harsin said.
While not much of a surprise that Nix gets the start in his junior season, no Auburn coach had explicitly said who would be taking the starting snaps at quarterback.
Both Nix and LSU transfer T.J. Finley have been seen running with the first team, but Nix is now confirmed to be the one who will be trotting out with the Tigers first next Saturday.
In regards to who will be protecting Nix, Harsin also gave insight onto the starters at offensive line. Due to injuries and players being switched around, Auburn’s offensive line depth chart has constantly been changing. But, now, we have a much clearer picture on Auburn’s front five:
Left tackle: Austin Troxell and Kilian Zierer
Left guard: Brandon Council and Alec Jackson
Center: Nick Brahms and Jalil Irvin
Right guard: Keiondre Jones, Tashawn Manning and Kameron Stutts
Right tackle: Brodarious Hamm and Brenden Coffey
All five of the starting lineman have had starting experience in the past, though many of them have started at different positions than what they are listed at now. Four of the starters are seniors, with Jones being the lone sophomore.
On defense, Harsin said that Donovan Kaufman is the team’s starting nickel corner. With Zion Puckett moving from nickel to safety, the position was up for grabs and the redshirt freshman won the job.
Kaufman is a transfer from Vanderbilt, who followed defensive coordinator Derek Mason to the Plains. Currently listed as a safety, it seems that Kaufman and Puckett might have outright switched spots. When the nickel package is required, look for No. 1 to be the guy running out there.
Another transfer, Bydarrius Knighten, will be the team’s second safety on the field. Alongside Smoke Monday, Harsin said Knighten is “right there in the boundary safety role.”
Knighten is a graduate transfer from Southeast Missouri State, where he earned all-Ohio Valley Conference honors twice while being a four-year starter.
A third transfer, one of Auburn’s 11 this season, Ro Torrence is “in the mix” at corner said Harsin.
The first team JUCO All-American and KJCCC Defensive Player of the Year came to Auburn after only allowing one pass caught against him all of last regular season. Torrence may not start this year, but if corners Nehemiah Pritchett and Roger McCreary go to the NFL draft at the end of the year, Torrence is the next guy up.
Harsin has not been shy about his next man up mentality, especially with 11 transfer products “all playing,” according to the coach.
“If you deserve to play, we will find you a role,” Harsin said.
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Henry Zimmer is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently in his fifth year with The Plainsman. He is currently the Sports Reporter and can be followed on Twitter here: @henryzimmer
