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Auburn Football: Gus Malzahn Spring Practice Presser, News and Notes

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn held a press conference Tuesday to discuss news and notes a few hours before the Tigers officially began spring practice.

The 19 minute media session included three specific goals for the spring:

  1. Understand the execution of base offense, defense and special teams
  2. Get edge back
  3. Develop trust between coaches and players

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn reacts against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While it’s always a point of emphasis for college football teams to nail down the basics in spring practice, most of those spring goals relate to the defense and new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. The offensive system and special teams are expected to remain similar to years past under Malzahn’s direction, but the defense is in a period of transition.

Defensive players will be practicing a new multiple 4-3 base defense and learning a new system of terminology and responsibilities. The team as a whole, and the defense especially, is looking to get its edge back following a disappointing end to the 2014 season that saw the Tigers lose four of their last five games.

“We knew that was going to be a challenge. You’ve got to overcome things like that and we didn’t do that,” Malzahn said. “We definitely lost our edge, especially toward the end of the year.”

Malzahn also said that the theme this year is “count on me.”

Three Players Officially Leave the Auburn Football Program, Two Staffers Added

As he continued, Malzahn  confirmed earlier reports that linebacker Anthony Swain and punter Jimmy Hutchinson have left the Auburn football program and added that H-Back Gage Batten has left the team as well.

Swain, a senior with one year of eligibility remaining, has graduated. He was expected to compete for significant playing time in 2015 after playing in all 27 games combined over the past two seasons and started against LSU last season. Swain recorded 18 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack last year. Hutchinson appeared in five games in 2014 as a redshirt freshman.

The head coach officially announced the additions of Ken Carter and Jeff Norrid to the program’s support staff.

Gus Malzahn Offers Insight on New Positions For Players, Position Battles

As for the players that will begin practice at 3:30 Tuesday, Jeremy Johnson will get reps with the first team offense, but he must “go out there and win the starting job.” All four quarterbacks – including JUCO transfer and potential future wide receiver Jason Smith – will see action.

Malzahn mentioned that redshirt freshman Kamryn Pettway has been moved to H-Back, but still has “running back skills.”

Speaking of running backs, Malzahn expects Roc Thomas, Jovon Robinson and Peyton Barber to rotate at tailback.

“We’ll try to put those guys in equal situations,” he said. “All three of those guys, we feel like, have a chance to be really good in our system. We’re going to give them an opportunity to show what they can do. We’re going to go live, and those guys are going to get tackled. We’re going to have a really good evaluation by the end of the spring on all three of the guys.”

One of the most heated position battles heading into the 2015 season will be at center, where the team must replace All-American, Remington Award winner and 50-game starter Reese Dismukes. Malzahn said that Xavier Dampeer will compete with Austin Golson, and Deon Mix will also work at the position.

Also on the offensive line, rising sophomore Braden Smith will practice at left guard and Avery Young will play right tackle. Earlier this week, it was expected that the two would have their roles reversed.

On the defensive side of the football, Josh Holsey will begin spring practice at cornerback after seeing the bulk of his playing time last season at safety. Johnathan Ford will continue to play safety, but could potentially play corner as well.

Malzahn also mentioned that Duke Williams is “in good standing” this spring despite his Outback Bowl suspension, left tackle Shon Coleman can “loosen up and play” following his first full football season in four years, and that the coaches expect big things from redshirt defensive tackle Dontavius Russell and senior wideout Ricardo Louis.

Gus Malzahn Updates Auburn Football Injury Report 

Two Auburn offensive linemen, Alex Kozan and Jordan Diamond, will participate in spring drills but have not been “fully cleared.”

“Very positive,” Malzahn said when asked about Kozan.” Two years ago, he was one of our leaders. His absence last year was definitely felt, not just from playing but for leadership. He’s a great worker. His teammates have a lot of respect for him. Just him being out there will be a breath of fresh air.”

Wide receiver Stantion Truitt will also be limited.

Watch Gus Malzahn’s first spring press conference here. We’ve got the opening statement courtesy of OANow.com:

Next: Auburn Football: 2015 Spring Practice Preview

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