As the 2022 Auburn football team begins to take shape, many have been waiting for several key players to announce whether they will stay on the Plains for another year or be finished with their careers as Tigers.
One of those players was Shedrick Jackson, who declared his intentions to return to Bryan Harsin’s team after the Tigers lost three receivers in the offseason. Without Demetris Robertson, Elijah Canion, and Kobe Hudson, Jackson should be able to provide much-needed senior leadership within his position group.
Although the wide receivers room could do with more talent before the 2022 season, the offensive line is the most pressing concern to most Auburn football fans. With only one offensive lineman signed so far in Eston Harris Jr. from Auburn High School, many have held on to hope that key seniors from the offense would decide to return for another year.
Now, things are looking up for offensive line coach Will Friend with the confirmation that both Nick Brahms and Austin Troxell will be suiting up in orange and blue again next season:
Let’s finish this the right way. #WDE pic.twitter.com/IQUecTjVC7
— Nick Brahms (@Nick_Brahms) January 11, 2022
Senior center Nick Brahms will be returning for his sixth season to use his last year of eligibility. He redshirted as a freshman in 2017 but has been the starting center for most of the Tigers’ games since. Out of the 40 games he’s played in, Brahms started 33 and will be back on the field next season after missing the Birmingham Bowl due to knee surgery.
Austin Troxell will also be returning for his sixth season on the Plains after spending time at the tackle and guard positions for most of his career at Auburn. Troxell has appeared in 32 games for the Tigers since joining the team in 2018 and will be a major piece of the 2022 O-Line.