The Tigers come into this season with an almost completely new offense, only retaining running back Jeremiah Cobb. The future of this team truly does ride on what happens this season. A high-tempo offense has worked well in the past if you look at what Josh Heupel and Lane Kiffin have done with it. Both have been successful but not enough to win a title as the head coach with it. This list is to really look at the future for Auburn, not only feature upperclassmen. Players who we can be talking about next year who could potentially make the program even better. Let's look at them.
QB Tristan Ti’a Sophomore
Tristan is a talent transferring from Oregon State. In his one career start for the Beavers he amassed 240 yards on a 28 of 41 attempt day, capping it off with a touchdown, capping off the day with a touchdown. During A-Day he was the clear winner, even looking better than the one starting ahead of him, Byrum Brown. But no single day is going to dictate who the starter is going to be overnight. Brown is the man in town, and Ti’a could certainly become heir to what this team becomes. Bonus points for having a couple more years of eligibility left. That is something to build off of in the team’s most important position.
Hopefully he doesn’t get propelled into a TJ Findley type role if Byrum Brown struggles, as Andrew Hughes pointed out, “Ti'a opened up quite the can of worms, though, in the case Brown struggles this fall. At minimum, Ti'a just put himself into a similar position TJ Finley was in behind Bo Nix: firmly behind him, but surging. First-year head coach Bryan Harsin didn't hesitate to stick Finley in when things got tough in 2021. You have to wonder if Alex Golesh would be as bold in a similar pinch.”
I never want to see our quarterback struggle, but either way, Ti’a should be on every Auburn fan’s radar. He will be a major factor for the future and potentially be able to play this year.
TE Jonathan Echols Sophomore
This is a guy that has made success of every chance he got at USF, and that is Echols. He’s 6-foot-6 and 235 lbs. and fast enough to get behind most linebackers and big enough to outjump every safety. Although there are three seniors ahead of him don’t be shocked if he isn’t used more as a weapon this year. He is going to be the main guy when those seniors move on. Echols should definitely be on everyone's radar for this coming season.
OG Mason Mathis Freshman
Mathis is a very good freshman pulling guard. Alex Golesh loves to use guards and he loves big strong lineman. Being 6-foot-6 and 320 lbs. helps him hit the field faster if he fills out quickly. It’s not very often that a guard is who we should be looking forward to with a developing team, but those people don’t know how dominant he was yet and how underrated he was. Being a freshman, he may not see the field right away unless some disasters happen. But his development is going to be paramount for when this team loses every one of their upperclassmen.
Bonus WR DeShawn Spencer Freshman
I had to add a bonus here because freshman WR DeShawn Spencer is the real deal. After seeing how he just dominated A-Day with Tristan Ti’a should give Auburn fans excitement for the future. Especially when Alabama star Ryan Coleman-Williams spoke about his former Saraland teammate at SEC Media days saying “we breed workhorses.” That is huge praise from a generational talent like he is. Don’t be shocked if Spencer starts seeing the field early and often in Alex Golesh’s offense. His versatility will be vital in his development into the star receiver he will become.
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