An unexpected group took the field at Auburn's fall camp on Wednesday along the first-team offensive line. According to Auburn Tigers On SI's Gunner Norene, these players lined up from left to right with the first team: Jo Simmons, Jacob Strand, Cole Best, Cole Skinner, and Stanton Ramil.
From left to right, Parker Pritchett, Deryc Plazz, Kail Ellis, Jacobe’ Ward and Wilson Zierer lined up for the second team, per Norene. The competition is far from over as Week 1 approaches on September 5.
Still, there are early shockers from the second week of fall camp.
Jacob Strand ahead of Deryc Plazz at left guard
The Oregon State transfer Strand was not expected to land ahead of the Miami transfer Plazz. Technically, he hasn't officially usurped him yet, since it's clear the battle is still fluid. Stanford transfer Jack Leyrer is also in the mix. Evidently, Leyrer has fallen behind the other two, but he shouldn't be counted out.
No one should. Part of having worries about the offensive line is being far from knowing who could be relied on. With three transfers at one position, it's truly hard to know who's the guy until the entire OL is being tested against live competition. Guard is an important position to see mesh with the rest of the interior linemen.
If Strand is healthy, he may be the guy who gets the nod right away. Strand missed the spring, but clearly he's made up ground quickly. Meanwhile, Leyrer could steal backup snaps at right guard, a position he hasn't played yet, but the only OL position besides center he's never taken a rep at, behind Cole Skinner after Tai Buster's injury last week. Leyrer started eight games at left guard, six at left tackle, and two at right tackle on the Cardinal.
Jo Simmons and Stanton Ramil settling into tackle roles
Ramil started 13 games in the past two years at the left tackle spot for Michigan State. An injury cost Ramil more than half of the 2025 season with the Spartans. Ramil wasn't fully healthy during the spring, and in his absence, the James Madison transfer Simmons has made a convincing case on the blindside.
That's a bit of a surprise. Ramil was a Thompson great in AHSAA 7A football during his high school days. One figures he'd fulfill his potential at the left tackle spot for the home-state team. Perhaps he'll get his chance, and he and Simmons will switch at some point. Perhaps injuries will necessitate a move.
It's a fluid situation everywhere besides the center position, where Best has no chance of losing the job to Ellis. Tyler Hudanick has a very tough job getting this group together, but there's at least continuity with Joel Gordon. There's at least continuity with his boss, Alex Golesh.
It may take a bit for the OL to get going during the 2026 season. Once this group learns to play fast, though, Byrum Brown's dual-threat abilities could make up for the uncertain protection to give the defense more to work with than it had last year.
Let's hope that's enough for progress in Golesh's first year at the helm.
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