'We were all on the same page': Cole Best talks chemistry of offensive line
“It's my job to get all five guys on the same page. To communicate with Byrum. To communicate with the tight ends, the running backs.” That is what Auburn senior center Cole Best had to say about emerging as a leader this preseason after Tuesday morning’s practice. The Tigers’ Quarterback, Byrum Brown, has no doubt that his long time battery mate will lead the offensive line effectively this season. "He's going to get us in the right call if I don't see something in switching he's going to switch it so I mean he's got those guys rolling...I think he's probably in the best mindset of his life right now compared to years prior," Brown said.
Best and the offense have been preparing to see multiple looks from Baylor’s defense for the season opener. He is confident they will be ready Saturday. “We're going to be ready for every picture. We've prepared for about anything that we can get. So you know come Saturday we're going to be ready to roll,” Best said.
For the last couple of weeks, Best has been playing alongside guards Cole Skinner and Jacob Strand. The two tackles taking reps with this group are Jo Simmons and Stanton Ramil. Best feels since these roles have been defined; everyone is gaining confidence along the offensive line.
He added that Tuesday felt like one of their most complete practices. “We were intentional. We were locked in. I think you know you see a lot of the cleanups that we had a chance to kind of buff out…As an o-line specifically like guys eyes in the right place bodies in the right place… we were all on the same page.”
Best feels the offensive line communication has been the biggest thing that’s improved since camp began in early August. He feels the players are playing less for themselves and more for the guy standing next to them. Best spoke about this brotherhood to reporters. “I know his story I know his why. I know why he does what he does. I’m going to give my all for him. He’s going to give his all for me… I've never been more proud of this group in terms of communication being on the same page”
Best is on this year’s Rimington Award preseason watch list. Named after the former Nebraska legend, Dave Rimington, this award goes to the nation’s top center. Auburn has not had center take home this hardware since Reese Dismukes in 2014. Best will look to take his first step towards this goal, and the bigger goal of turning around a program in desperate need of a successful season, on Saturday against Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game.
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