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

Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 6, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Thomas (9) carries against the San Jose State Spartans during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Spartans 59-13. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The Auburn football program will hit the practice field Tuesday March 10 for the first of fifteen spring practices.

“We decided to split it up a little bit,” head coach Gus Malzahn said this week while outlining the new, longer spring schedule. “Go five practices, have our spring break and then come back and have ten.”

Objective No. 1 this spring is for new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and two new defensive assistant coaches to install a new multiple 4-3 defense to replace the 4-2-5 the Tigers used in 2013 and 2014 under former coordinator Ellis Johnson.

Then, the coaching staff will evaluate players on each side of the football in order to try and replace seven starters on offense – including two-year starting quarterback Nick Marshall and running back Cameron Artis-Payne, who was the SEC’s leading rusher, and All-American center Reese Dismukes – as well as five starters on defense.

Jeremy Johnson is expected to take over at quarterback, though like every other position on the roster, he’ll have to compete to win the job.

“The first day, he’ll take the first reps, but every position is going to be open,” Malzahn said. “That’s the great thing about spring. We’re going to put the ball down, let guys compete. You know, we’ve got a bunch of young, inexperienced guys that we think are going to be very good football players, but in the spring, that’s when you evaluate everything and give everybody a chance to compete for positions.”

Let’s take a look at five players that have opportunities not only to compete for positions this spring, but have something to prove between next Tuesday’s first practice and and the April 18 A-Day Game.

Next: Roc Thomas

Roc Thomas, RB

In most cases, a rising sophomore that spent the previous season as the third-string running back behind two graduating seniors would be expected to rise to the top of the depth chart – especially when that player is a former five-star recruit and Mr. Football in the state of Alabama.

However, at Auburn things aren’t that simple.

Roc Thomas played in 11 games as a true freshman last season and gained 213 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries. He was the team’s fifth-leading rushing behind SEC leader Cameron Artis-Payne, quarterback Nick Marshall, senior reserve Corey Grant and wide receiver Ricardo Louis.

But, the Tigers recruited Jovon Robinson to campus from Georgia Military College, where he set a national record with 2,387 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns as a freshman in 2013. Robinson – a punishing 230-pound runner – was the top ranked JUCO player in the nation in the most recent class and participated in Outback Bowl practices.

With Robinson in the mix, Thomas is no longer the clear-cut favorite to be the primary ball carrier in Gus Malzahn’s offense in 2015. In fact, he may not be the favorite at all.

Listed at 5-foot-10 and 193 pounds, Thomas is much lighter than Robinson, and therefore may be less durable over the course of a full season. Plus, Robinson is a special talent that could become a Heisman Trophy candidate.

This spring, Thomas must prove he’s capable of not only carrying the load for the Tigers in 2015, but also that he can take care of the football. As a freshman, he lost two fumbles.

Next: Shon Coleman

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

View image | gettyimages.com

Tre’ Williams, LB

A few weeks ago, I projected that Tre’ Williams would emerge as the starter at weak side outside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s multiple 4-3 defense.

The projection isn’t much of a stretch – Williams was a five-star prospect ranked among the best high school linebackers in the 2014 recruiting class and played in all 13 games with one start as a true freshman. But, it’s sure to be one of the most competitive position battles leading up to the 2015 season.

Even with the recent report that reserve linebacker Anthony Swain has left the Auburn football program, Williams must beat out veteran Justin Garrett and special teams standout JaViere Mitchell (and possibly someone like Derrick Moncrief that may see a position change) for the top spot on the depth chart alongside returning starters Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost.

Williams is the most talented linebacker on the roster and has all the physical tools to be a starter for the Tigers as a sophomore. However, he struggled to grasp former DC Ellis Johnson’s defensive playbook, and made plenty of “freshman mistakes.”

With Muschamp now in charge, Williams must start all over learning the calls, blitzes and coverages. If Williams proves he can handle the mental aspect of the position, he’ll start.

Next: Xavier Dampeer

Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Alex Kozan (63) tries to hear the play call while in the huddle with tackle Greg Robinson (73) center Reese Dismukes (50) and tackle Avery Young (56) against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Xavier Dampeer, C

The top ranked junior college center in the 2014 recruiting class, Xavier Dampeer was the backup to All-American, Remington Award winning center Reese Dismukes in 2014 and was originally expected to simply slide into the role as the starter in 2015.

However, the rising senior played in just five games last season – only one of them (against FCS opponent Samford) coming in the season’s last seven contests. And instead of taking over for Dismukes on Day 1 of the spring, Dampeer is likely to be challenged by 2013 Freshman All-American guard Alex Kozan or Ole Miss transfer Austin Golson for the spot.

Kozan missed the entire 2014 season with a back injury, and Golson wasn’t eligible to play due to transfer rules, though both are talented enough to start at multiple positions, and should be capable of handling the roles and responsibilities at center. Kozan will be limited this spring as he continues to rehab his back injury.

With Shon Coleman and Avery Young returning as full-time starters, guard Devonte Danzey having played in all 13 games and making seven starts last season and Braden Smith expected to start somewhere, it’s likely that offensive line coach J.B. Grimes gives Kozan and Golson a good, long look at center.

That means the pressure is squarely on Dampeer to beat them out.

Next: Derrick Moncrief

Aug 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks receiver Cody Hollister (81) catches a pass as Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathon Mincy (6) and Derrick Moncrief (24) make the tackle during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Moncrief, S

Similar to Dampeer, Derrick Moncrief was a junior college transfer in the 2014 recruiting class ranked as the best player at his position. However, unlike Dampeer, Moncreif was expected to start in his first season on campus.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder went through the spring last season and entered fall camp as the favorite at boundary safety. Instead, Moncrief missed a handful of practices in the fall and sophomore Johnathan Ford took full advantage to win the top spot on the depth chart.

Moncrief played in all 13 games and made one start, but Ford never lost his hold on the spot and went on to lead the Tigers in tackles last season.

The Prattville, Alabama native played Ellis Johnson’s hybrid safety/linebacker Star position late in the season, which is a sign he might be a candidate to move to linebacker. Ford is back as well as Joshua Holsey, who started seven games at free safety last year, so Moncrief faces a stiff challenge to break through the starting lineup in the secondary.

The goal for Derrick Moncrief this spring is to prove himself as one of the best 11 defensive players on the roster. If he does, Will Muschamp and company will find a position for him.

Next: 2015 Auburn Football Schedule & Early Predictions

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Nicholas Ian Allen