Auburn is looking hard for offensive linemen. With two senior starters and no true freshmen, it’s a position of significant need in this recruiting class.
Offensive line coach Hugh Nall has looked far and wide. And, as usual, he has paid no attention to where others might have prospects ranked.
Two offensive linemen – Andre Harris of Hampton, Ga., and Aaron Moore of Frisco, Texas - are in the fold already. There is hope that Jermaine Johnson - who signed last February but won’t qualify out of Hargrave Military Academy – will make it by January.
The master plan calls for four offensive linemen in this recruiting class, but as one coach said, “You always find room for a great one.”
Along with Wesley Johnson, Johnnie Farms of Perry, Ga.; Steven Jacques of Hollywood, Fla.; and Brandon Moore of Carver High School in Montgomery are probably the top targets remaining on the board.
But it’s important also to remember that Auburn has a significant history of turning defensive linemen into offensive linemen. Green, who could be one of the nation’s best, arrived as a defensive tackle. So did Ben Grubbs, a first-round draft choice in 2007, and Tim Duckworth, to name a few.
As reported by AuburnUndercover.com last Saturday, Johnson knew when he left camp that he could get an Auburn offer. And it was in the mail on Monday. He was effusive in his praise for Auburn and Nall but was not ready to make a commitment. He is clearly still considering Vanderbilt because “It’s about 10 minutes from the house.”
Auburn should be a force on offensive line in the coming season, though depth has been impacted because Johnson didn’t make it and because Chaz Ramsey, a nine-game starter as a freshman, has back problems. Whether he is able to play at all in the coming season is open to question.
If Ramsey is unable to play, the starters will almost certainly be sophomore Lee Ziemba at left tackle, senior Tyronne Green at left guard, senior Jason Bosley at center, sophomore Byron Isom at right guard and sophomore Ryan Pugh at right tackle.
Sophomore Bart Eddins will back up both guards and Mike Berry and redshirt freshman Jared Cooper will be backup tackles. Berry can also play guard or even center. Pugh will be the backup center. Junior Andrew McCain could also get into the backup picture at tackle and redshirt freshman Kyle Coulahan at guard.
