Last week, Auburn football fans got a sad piece of news in the announcement that sixth-year senior and starting center Nick Brahms would be stepping away from the game of football. After battling through numerous injuries and surgeries, Brahms ultimately made the decision to medically retire.
Despite the fact that he won’t be running onto the field with the Tigers, head coach Bryan Harsin said that Brahms will still remain heavily involved with the team, and that he has been extremely helpful in working with the O-Line and Tate Johnson, who will be the starting center for the team this season.
Both Johnson and Brandon Council took reps at center during the offseason in Brahms’ absence, but it has been confirmed on the depth chart that Johnson will start in place of Brahms while Council will start at left guard.
But is Johnson, at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, ready to step into the shoes of the Tigers’ former starter, a sixth-year who started for three years and made the Rimington Award Watchlist? According to massive defensive lineman Jayson Jones, the answer is a resounding yes, via Auburn Live:
"“I talked to Morris Joseph about this and for some reason, (Johnson) is getting a lot heavier to move,” Jones said. “I think the experience, in a short amount of time, Tate has grown so much and people don’t realize that, and I really feel like he’s ready to show people throughout the season and on Saturday. He’s gotten heavier, more technical, starting to pick up on stuff from spring until now. He’s an amazing player.”"
Others that have praised Johnson include Council, who called his transformation up to this point “night and day,” and Harsin, who touted the new center’s recent work in the weight room and his impressive performance in camp.
While the loss of Nick Brahms on the field is certainly a big one, his leadership and character will continue to impact the team, and Tate Johnson is prepared to step up for Auburn football in 2022.