Auburn Tigers Depth Chart Officially Released for Arkansas Game

Oct 26, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) drops back to pass against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

In the last month, we’ve discussed the Auburn Tigers depth chart often, but now we finally know who will take the field first on Saturday.

More from Auburn Football

• Ex-star Auburn DL confronts ‘slant man’ in MNF post-game video
• Ex-Auburn star laments not getting to face fellow Heisman candidate
• Analyst expects third-year RB to take AU rushing lead from surprising transfer
• Hugh Freeze was the right hire to truly embrace Auburn
• Auburn football Jack LB: ‘We’ve got to earn our respect back’

Though returning starter Nick Marshall is listed atop the chart, when the Tigers take on the Arkansas Razorbacks at 3:00 pm Central, they will do so with their eighth starting quarterback in the last eight seasons.

Jeremy Johnson, a sophomore from Montgomery, will the nod over the suspended Marshall. It remains to be seen how long Johnson will line up behind center before Marshall enters. You can see the official release here.

At running back, seniors Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant will look to replace Tre Mason, who left for the NFL following a season in which he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. Despite the loss of Mason, the Tigers still return more rushing yards that any team in the SEC. The pair is listed as co-starters.

Sammie Coates, who led all of college football with 21.5 yards per catch, returns for his junior season at wide receiver. D’haquille Williams, the top junior college prospect in the nation, will join Coates on the outside. The official release also shows four starting wide receivers, with Ricardo Louis or Quan Bray starting at one spot, and Marcus Davis getting the nod at the other. At tight end, CJ Uzomah is back for his senior campaign. He and Brandon Fulse will share tight end and H-back roles.

On the offensive line, Shon Coleman aims to replace Greg Robinson as the team’s left tackle. Robinson was the second overall pick in the most recent NFL Draft. Robinson’s shoes will be tough enough to feel, but the problem grew larger when it was announced in the season’s first practice that Alex Kozan would be sidelined for the entire season. Kozan’s starting left guard spot will be handled by Chad Slade, who started at right tackle last season.

All-American candidate Reese Dismukes will once again man the middle of the offensive line as the starting center. Avery Young, the starter at right tackle last season, will join Dismukes on his right side. Patrick Miller will handle the right tackle duties in 2014. Talented true freshman Braden Smith is the backup at left tackle.

Auburn Tigers Depth Chart – Week One Offensive Starters

[table id=24 /]

On defense, the setup includes Gabe Wright as a starting defensive end. Wright has gained a reputation as one of the best defensive tackles in the SEC, but will move outside in an attempt to replace Carl Lawson, who will miss the majority of the season recovering from ACL surgery. The other starter at end is Elijah Daniel.

In the middle, the Tigers will start Jeff Whitaker and Angelo Blackson in week one. Expect many players to rotate on the defensive line, including returners LaDarius Owens, Ben Bradley and Montravius Adams and newcomers DaVonte Lambert and Devaroe Lawrence.

At linebacker, Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost are the unquestioned starters. Now we have an official two deep, it appears that Anthony Swain and true freshman Tre’ Williams will also see playing time on Saturday.

There have been questions in the secondary through the off-season, and we knew that Jonathon Mincy would not start against the Razorbacks. Like Marshall, we do not know how long Mincy will be on the bench, but expect him to play.

Joshua Holsey and Jonathan Jones will be the first two cornerbacks on the field Saturday, with Holsey sitting behind Mincy on the official depth chart. Jermaine Whitehead and Rudy Ford will be the starters at safety. Ford made a surprising ascent to the top of the depth chart over junior college transfer Derrick Moncrief, who will also play.

At Star, Justin Garrett will get the starting nod, due in least in part, to returning starter Robenson Therezie’s “eligibility concerns.” We do not know if Therezie will be cleared to play on Saturday. Nick Ruffin is list second.

On special teams, redshirt freshman Daniel Carlson will handle both the placekicking and punting duties in the early portion of the season. Quan Bray will be the top punt returner, and Corey Grant will handle the kickoffs. Forrest Hill is the long snapper and Tyler Stovall will hold.

 Auburn Tigers Depth Chart – Week One Defensive Starters

[table id=27 /]