Jacob Strand played four seasons with the Oregon State Beavers before transferring to Auburn this offseason. The Tiger’s coaching staff is hoping the veteran will be able to provide some experience to a group that is undergoing a complete makeover from 2025. As the second week of preseason camp winds down, Strand has not disappointed.
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Auburn Offensive Line Coach Tyler Hudanick highlighted Strand’s play when he spoke with the media after Thursday’s practice. “Jacob Strand has been really impressive. Getting him back healthy from the spring was huge.”
Strand has fully recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of spring practice. He does go through practice with a brace on, but says that is not hindering him. Strand says he is just happy to be able to play again.
“Getting back out there has been nice. Work out with the guys. Getting some reps in.”
Strand feels his body type is better suited to play guard, but he told the media he has been getting reps at tackle as well. Strand is also one of the new additions that had to learn the up-tempo offense.
“It was hard to learn how to pick it up so quickly. Seeing the defense move and all that. Any questions I have I go to them (Best/Skinner), go to coach.”
Hudanick went on to say, “One thing I think you can know about Jacob is he is uber smart. He’s got position flex. He’s super smart. He understands football. It comes easy to him”
Strand feels this group of guys have a certain synergy to them. He adds that getting reps with the same guys day in and day out make things easier out on the field.
“They know what’s going on. Just go out there and not having to talk too much. We all see everything together. No matter what we are doing, we are all on the same page. It’s super nice to be able to trust the guys next to you.”
Fellow offensive lineman Cole Skinner added this about Strand’s camp performance, “He has been locked in every single day. Asking me a bunch of questions. Asking coach a bunch of questions. He wants to get better. You come out here and see him on the field and it’s translated. He is out there, he’s going hard off the ball. He knows what he is doing.”
Strand will look to build on his early momentum when the team takes the field for tomorrow’s scrimmage inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
