Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers helmet lays on the field by the bench 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
The Auburn football team has wrapped up the first two weeks of spring practice for a ten-day spring break. What Tigers have helped and hurt their stock so far?
The first five spring practices are in the books for the Auburn Tigers, who have been hard at working trying to “get their edge back” following a disappointing finish to the 2014 season. After starting the campaign 7-1 and securing a spot in the coveted top four of the College Football Playoff rankings, Auburn lost four of their final five games with the only victory coming against FCS opponent Samford.
An 8-5 season isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a far cry from the national title expectations the Tigers had following an SEC Championship and BCS National Championship Game berth the previous year. Now, in several ways, Auburn is starting over and building a new foundation for the program.
“We’ve got a new defensive coordinator trying to establish his standards,” Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said last week. “We’ve got a lot of new guys on offense, so we’re letting guys compete and we’re being very physical and that’s the way you can evaluate them. The bottom line is getting our edge back, so that’s the most important thing.”
Will Muschamp is calling the shots on defense and along with two new position coaches is expected to turn around one of the SEC’s weakest units. On the other side of the ball, the offense is in search of eight new starters, but there are plenty of talented returning players on the roster as well as newcomers on the way.
As the team works to get its edge back, there are quite a few position battles underway. Some players have stepped up while others have yet to seize their opportunity. Who’s stock is on the rise? Who is in danger of falling down the depth chart? Let’s take a look.
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