Auburn Football: 5 Players With Something to Prove in Spring Practice

Shon Coleman, LT

The heir apparent to Greg Robinson, who left Auburn following his sophomore season in 2013 to become the second overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Shon Coleman stepped in at left tackle and started all 13 games for the Tigers last year.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound rising junior has NFL talent, but struggled at times in his first season as a starter – especially when matched up with some of the SEC’s best pass rushers like Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett and Mississippi State’s Preston Smith.

Coleman isn’t likely to lose his starting spot, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be challenged. Despite Auburn losing All-American center Reese Dismukes, long-time starting guard Chad Slade and part-time starter Patrick Miller, there is no shortage of capable offensive linemen on the roster.

Avery Young, who started all 13 games last season, can play tackle and guard, rising sophomore Braden Smith is a future star at tackle and started the Outback Bowl, and Ole Miss transfer Austin Golson played tackle for the Rebels as a true freshman.

Coleman must lock down the left tackle position and prove he is capable of being one of the best at the position in the SEC.

Of course, a position battle or even matchups against top-notch SEC defensive ends are nothing compared to what Coleman has already accomplished off the field. Coleman has overcome so much just to play football again. He was a top-ten tackle prospect in the 2010 recruiting class, but was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2010 and underwent 30 months of treatment (while also earning his first degree) before finally taking the field for eight games in 2013.

Next: Tre' Williams