What was probably the most important day of the preseason up to this point, the Auburn Tigers hit the field in Jordan-Hare Stadium for a team scrimmage, playing out 115 snaps, or just more than a half of football according to Coach Alex Golesh.
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While the performance was not where the head coach wanted it to be, with him saying they “didn’t look like a veteran team” on Friday, there were some bright spots.
One of those came in the quarterback room, where Byrum Brown put on a solid performance during his reps in the scrimmage.
Brown, like all of the quarterbacks during camp, has been in an orange non-contact uniform so as to protect his health before the season begins.
As a result, the players and coaches have not exactly gotten to see the full scope of what the senior quarterback can do. However, what was able to be noticed was done so with a positive outlook.
“I thought Byrum had a really, really solid day,” Golesh said. “You don’t get to see Byrum in his full effect in an orange jersey, and we blew the whistle relatively quick with him. He did some really good things running the football. I thought he operated really well. I thought he threw it well.”
A major focus throughout the last few days with the quarterbacks though has been getting a clear picture on what the guys behind Brown look like, and that starts with Tristan Ti’a.
The young transfer from Oregon State only played in three games last year with the Beavers, posting a 69.8 percent completion rate while throwing for 385 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Golesh said that Ti’a has largely taken the most reps with the second rotation throughout camp, and after an up-and-down middle portion of the period where things sped up for him, things are starting to slow down for him in a way.
In the scrimmage on Friday, the head coach went on to say that Ti’a put on a good showing in his reps outside of one throw where he got pressured and heaved the ball up at the last second.
“He’s still young, uber talented, but still young,” Golesh said. “I think Tristan’s taken monumental steps… I thought for the most part, other than the one throw, I would tell you it slowed down for hiim today.”
Sophomore Locklan Hewlett and freshman Rhys Brush have been competing in the third rotation spot and were utilized that way in the scrimmage, with Golesh saying that the competition there has been crazy.
Overall though, the room behind Brown is one that, according to Golesh, just needs more reps in the system so that they can grow like they need to.
With a lot of different complexities and schemes being thrown at the quarterbacks, all of whom are young, it can be easy to be overwhelmed.
That’s where Brown has played a big role, as he is mentoring his teammates and preparing them as best he can.
“This is a hard system to play quarterback in,” Golesh said. “Byrum, every time he’s supposed to take beyond break, he’s up there watching film, but there’s like four little ducklings behind him that just follow him. We’re going to be in a good spot there.”
Auburn will have another scrimmage at the end of next week where Golesh will have an opportunity to compare the progression of his team and give the program another opportunity to simulate a game experience.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
