In a season filled with a lot of new for the Auburn Tigers, the offensive line of the 2026 squad is definitely a place where the team took a big hit, effectively clearing out and bringing a multitude of new faces to the forefront.
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The position group as a whole has been one of the biggest questions of the program in recent memory, but this year’s room is continuing to roll on in order to cement their identity, which offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick wants to be hard-nosed.
The offensive line though has had change be forced its way in recent times, as Coach Alex Golesh announced that Tai Buster will be out for the first half of the season with an “unfortunate deal” that occurred at the end of summer.
Transfers Stanton Ramil and Jacob Strand had also mostly recovered from injury, but keeping them healthy was still a major focus.
However, Ramil and Strand have been two of the top performers on the offensive line early in preseason camp, creating some deep competition across the board with the group.
As the Tigers near the end of week two of camp, Hudanick said the squad is close to finding its starting group, but there is still work to be done.
“I think we’re close. I think this next three or four days we’ll be really, really close,” Hudanick said. “I think there’s a handful of guys that are in position battles right now. I think through the first days, to say there’s been a bunch of guys that are separating themselves, then I think it’s really close right now, especially inside. We’re continuing to build depth at the tackle spot, but inside, I think there’s a real competition at both guard spots.”
In terms of the inside Hudanick said the competition, for the most part, stands with Cole Skinner, Deryc Plazz, Jacob Strand, Jack Leyrer and Kenneth McManus IV. Skinner, Plazz and Strand have all seen significant reps in the top rotations, making them probable options if they continue to trend upwards.
No offensive line is complete though without a solid relationship with their quarterback, and that is something Hudanick said this group has truly bought into creating.
When asked about the relationship the offensive line had developed with quarterback Byrum Brown, it was the trust that Skinner and Cole Best had already developed with him that sparked a sense of trust throughout the entire room.
“The fortunate piece is obviously a couple of guys in the room were already with (Byrum) at the last place—Skinner and Cole Best, so they already had that bond and knew who he was,” Hudniack said. “That spread like wildfire in our room for those guys to trust him, the guys who didn’t know him.”
Having that tight of a bond is something that Hudanick is a must, especially with this team being in the SEC.
The offensive line coach complimented Brown for the work he’s put in to solidify those relationships with his new teammates, making them more comfortable as they take the field together on Saturdays.
“For you to be successful and go do what you want to do in this league, that relationship quarterback to those bigs up front has got to be there,” Hudanick said. “I don’t think you stand a chance in this league (if you don’t) to be honest. He puts the time in, he takes care of these guys, he really puts his foot forward in coming to build that relationship with him.”
At the end of the day though, the offensive lines that succeed not only put together a tight bond with their quarterback, but play with pure toughness.
As the team continues to move forward, that is a trait Hudanick will continue to seek out as he figures out who will be the starting group up front.
“We’ve got a bunch and we’re fighting to find more,” Hudanick said. “That’s one thing we won’t sacrifice here is toughness. I tell the guys just about every day that the guys that will go out there and play the hardest, play the toughest and are the smartest will be the guys that play.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
