The offensive line has been one of Auburn’s biggest question marks from the end of last season. With the Tiger’s first game against Akron just days away, center Nick Brahms is ready to get back out on the field and show the fans the strides the unit has made.
“We want to play someone else besides each other in practice in a big-game environment like Jordan-Hare offers,” Brahms said. “It is second to none. Being able to feel that energy with the fans in the stands, I know we’re at full capacity now, and we get to do Tiger Walk, so it really brings a lot of excitement to the players.”
Last Thursday, head coach Bryan Harsin announced a handful of starters. Among them, was the offensive line depth chart. Brahms, now entering his senior season, was unsurprisingly among that starting group, heading the offensive line at center.
Brahms has been handling center duties for the better part of three seasons now and is a Rimington Trophy candidate this season, for the nation’s top center. Around him on the line are where things get less consistent.
The offensive line unit is a constant work in progress and is always being morphed and shaped. Brahms said that the ultimate test for his group will be just getting that well needed game action.
“I think we are still growing right now, and I think we will grow throughout the whole season,” Brahms said. “You can practice everything, like communication in practice and then you get into a game and really just executing what we are going to do. Maybe you can't hear the person next to you, so it's non-verbal communication that we've been practicing. We will put it to the test come game day.”
When Saturday’s game against the Zips does start, the offensive line will be the first guys to make contact in the trenches. Brahms will be the first guy to touch the ball for the Auburn offense. And Brahms made it very clear what he wants his offense to do.
"We want to establish the run: a downhill, physical run game,” Brahms said. “That opens up everything on offense. If we do that well, we will have fun on Saturday and every Saturday to come."
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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
