AUBURN UNDERCOVER INSIDER NOTEBOOK
Spencer won’t stay off the field long
Keep an eye on freshman wide receiver DeShawn Spencer.
The feeling around the program is that Spencer is going to play early. He might not start immediately because of Auburn’s other options at receiver, but his explosiveness is already difficult to ignore. By around the fourth game, Spencer could emerge as one of the Tigers’ top options at the position.
Spencer arrived from Saraland after playing for coach Jeff Kelly, and his speed gives Auburn something different. He’s young, but don’t expect that to keep him on the sideline for long.
— Ryan Bartow
Ramil looks like an answer at tackle
Michigan State transfer Stanton Ramil continues to impress and had a strong showing Saturday.
Ramil’s competitiveness and approach stand out. There will still be challenges at offensive tackle, but Auburn appears to be in considerably better shape with Ramil and Jo Simmons than it has been at tackle in recent seasons.
The bigger question could be inside, where Auburn’s offensive linemen will have to prove they can hold up against the powerful defensive fronts they’ll see in the SEC.
— Ryan Bartow
Smith could be Auburn’s best NFL prospect
Jared Smith might be the most intriguing player on Auburn’s defense and perhaps the top NFL prospect currently in the program.
If Smith stays healthy, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t lead Auburn in sacks. His ability to bend and get after the quarterback gives the Tigers a legitimate edge presence.
That could have an impact throughout the defense. If Auburn can consistently generate pressure with its front four, the Tigers won’t have to manufacture as much pressure with linebackers and can allow those players more freedom to run and pursue.
— Ryan Bartow
Defensive front looks different
Auburn’s defensive line looks noticeably deeper and thicker than it has in recent seasons.
That’s an important development for a defense that needs to create pressure without constantly bringing extra defenders. Improved depth combined with potential difference-makers off the edge gives Auburn more options up front.
The defensive line has a chance to become one of the strengths of this team.
— Ryan Bartow
Two concerns to watch
There are still areas Auburn needs to answer before the season begins.
Two of the biggest concerns are the interior offensive line and secondary. The Tigers appear improved at offensive tackle, but the interior will have to prove it can withstand SEC defensive fronts.
There are also questions about Auburn’s length in the secondary. The Tigers aren’t especially big on the back end, something that could affect matchups and how the defense is ultimately structured.
There appears to be enough overall talent for Auburn to reach a bowl game, but those two areas bear watching as camp progresses.
— Ryan Bartow
Henderson, Meadows getting early looks
There is some movement worth monitoring in Auburn’s running back room.
Alvin Henderson and Tae Meadows received running back reps ahead of Bryson Washington and Nykahi Davenport during Saturday’s work.
It’s still early enough in camp that rotations can change, but the distribution of reps makes Henderson and Meadows two names to watch as Auburn sorts through its backfield.
— Jay Douglas
A look at the first offensive line
Auburn continued working through combinations along its offensive front Saturday.
During offensive line drills, Jo Simmons, Cole Best and Stanton Ramil were among the players working with the first group.
It’s an early snapshot of how the Tigers are arranging personnel as they continue evaluating the offensive line during preseason camp.
— Jay Douglas
Bordingham working behind Johnson
Arlis Bordingham is getting tight end reps behind projected starter Jake Johnson.
Johnson enters camp positioned to lead the room, while Bordingham’s work makes him another player to monitor as Auburn establishes the rotation behind its projected starter.
— Jay Douglas
Deas getting linebacker reps
Bryce Deas is getting an opportunity at linebacker, working with Xavier Atkins and Elijah Melendez during Saturday’s practice.
It’s another personnel combination worth monitoring as Auburn continues sorting through its linebacker rotation during preseason camp.
— Jay Douglas
Don’t overlook Deas at linebacker
Bryce Deas could be one of the surprises on Auburn’s defense this season.
Deas brings an intriguing combination of speed and power to a linebacker room that also features Xavier Atkins, Elijah Melendez and De’Marcus Riddick. There is plenty of competition at the position, but Deas has given Auburn another athletic option to consider as the rotation develops.
— Tyler Raley
Anthony setting the tone at cornerback
Champ Anthony appears to be emerging as an important leader in Auburn’s cornerback room.
Anthony was working with the corners Thursday and was noticeable both for his performance in drills and the example he was setting for the players behind him.
With questions still to answer in Auburn’s secondary, having an experienced player establishing the standard in the room could be particularly valuable.
— Tyler Raley
Mabson turning heads
Don’t lose track of Omar Mabson in Auburn’s offense.
The staff and offensive skill players are extremely high on the sophomore from Auburn High School. Mabson has consistently practiced with an edge and plays like representing Auburn means something to him.
His smaller frame hasn’t prevented him from being effective. Mabson has been particularly shifty in tight spaces and continues to make an impression as Auburn works through its offensive personnel.
— Tyler Raley
Receivers flashing — but consistency matters
Auburn’s receivers have shown the ability to make plays across the board, but consistency catching the football remains something to monitor.
Keshaun Singleton and Jeremiah Koger have displayed impressive vertical ability and can go get the football in contested situations.
Freshman DeShawn Spencer has also opened plenty of eyes. Kodi Burns has said Spencer is further along than he expected at this stage of his career, while Alex Golesh has praised the freshman’s football maturity. Spencer is giving Auburn every reason to believe he could become a significant contributor sooner rather than later.
— Tyler Raley
Autry working through the club
Malik Autry continues to draw positive attention during defensive line drills despite practicing with a club cast on his right hand.
The defensive lineman remains in a regular jersey and has been a full participant in practice.
The fact that Autry continues getting work while dealing with the hand is encouraging as Auburn develops what is shaping up to be a deeper defensive front.
— Tyler Raley
Smith ready for another step
Jared Smith remains one of the young players to watch closely on Auburn’s defense.
The Thompson High School product continues to show the power that made him such an intriguing young prospect. Now entering his sophomore season, Smith appears positioned to take another step.
— Tyler Raley
Brown’s accuracy standing out
Byrum Brown has been impressive throwing the football through the opening days of preseason camp.
His spin and accuracy have stood out, and Saturday offered another example. Brown spent time working on touch throws into the end zone and was consistently putting the football where it needed to be.
There is still plenty of camp ahead, but Brown’s early accuracy has been an encouraging development as Auburn installs the offense around its veteran quarterback.
— Tyler Raley
FROM OTHER CAMPS
Miami’s freshmen tackles making noise
Keep an eye on Miami’s young offensive tackles.
Two freshmen in Ben Congdon and Jackson Cantwell — one working at right tackle and another at left tackle — have made enough of an early impression that both could play immediately.
The talent level is significant enough that the pair has a chance to eventually give Miami one of its better tackle combinations in years, possibly the best since the 2001 combo of Joaquin Gonzalez and Bryant McKinnie. That’s notable for a program that has invested heavily in improving its personnel along the offensive front.
— Ryan Bartow
NC State may have found its running back
Davion Gause is generating significant buzz at NC State and could already be one of the best players on the Wolfpack roster.
Gause gives NC State a legitimate presence at running back and comes from the same high school program as quarterback CJ Bailey. The Wolfpack might not have the same receiving firepower it has enjoyed over the past couple of seasons, but the backfield appears significantly improved.
Gause could be a major reason why.
— Ryan Bartow
REPORTING: Ryan Bartow, Jay Douglas and Tyler Raley
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
