You want a sneak peek of future Auburn backfield? You just might get it in 2018
By Rob Maxwell
The Auburn Tigers backfield could be exciting to watch in 2018 thanks to a recent NCAA rule change.
Auburn signed the 12th-best recruiting class in the nation in 2018, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. As you’d expect, four of the highest-profile players are on the offensive side.
And all four of them could see the field this fall, thanks to the rule passed by the NCAA in June that allows players to see action in up to four games without losing redshirt eligibility.
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That means quarterback Joey Gatewood and running backs Asa Martin, Harold Joiner and Shaun Shivers could get opportunities to show what they can do and still have four seasons of eligibility if they don’t play in more than four games.
Let’s look at those positions:
Quarterback
Normally with your starter returning (Jarrett Stidham) and backup in place (Malik Willis), there would be little reason to put Gatewood on the field this fall. He’s big and athletic but considered a bit of a raw prospect. But Gatewood enrolled early and went through spring practice. With games against Alabama State (Sept. 8) and Liberty (Nov. 17), you’d like to think Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey would give him snaps to get a taste of college football if they think he can handle it.
Assuming Stidham leaves for the NFL after this season, the quarterback battle in 2019 should be fierce. Willis will have the inside track, but some game time this fall will help Gatewood. And don’t forget Bo Nix jumps into the mix as part of the 2019 recruiting class.
Running back
When you look at the 2018 haul at the position, if it doesn’t bring a huge smile to your face, something’s wrong with you.
First, Joiner. He’s 6-4, 215 pounds and coaches already are discussing different ways to use him.
Up to four ways, said Auburn RB coach Tim Horton to SEC Country’s Justin Ferguson:
"I can see Harold as someone who, again, can play multiple positions, whether it’s tailback, whether it’s 3-back [H-back], where it’s somewhere in the slot, whether it’s someone as an actual tight end."
Joiner has the size and versatility to make more than a cameo appearance in 2018.
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Shivers is an entirely different attraction. He stands 5-7 and 170-plus pounds. He’s shifty, he’s fast. About the only guy faster than him on the high school level also is heading to Auburn (WR Anthony Schwartz — you’ll see him in the video below, too).
https://twitter.com/CoachChrisCorr/status/992836130092482560
Expect Shivers to get a look at kick returner, too.
Martin is the closest to the prototypical running back signed by the Tigers for 2018. He’s listed at 5-11, 209 pounds — Kerryon Johnson was 6-0, 212 last season. Martin was Mr. Football in the state of Alabama, the 6A back of the year and ran for 2,228 yards and 33 TDs as a senior. Along with Gatewood and Joiner, Martin enrolled early.