With Baylor preparations beginning to pick up speed, Auburn football returned to the field Tuesday morning.
The Tigers have begun getting acquainted with the Baylor scouting report ten days prior to their game in Waco.
Tuesday’s session, which featured position exercises, an 11-on-11 period, and one-on-one drills, was available to the media for around 45 minutes. The last planned media viewing of practice before to game week was also on Tuesday.
Below is a summary of what we observed:
Availability report
— During practice, Kayin Lee and Eric Singleton Jr. were restricted because they were wearing non-contact jerseys.Singleton is recuperating from a bruising on his thigh.
— Perry Thompson’s right knee was once more in a brace.
— Champ Anthony took part in the 11-on-11 game. As he heals from the leg injury that interrupted his 2024 season, he has been out for the majority of camp.
First team offense in 11-on-11 period
QB: Jackson Arnold
RB: Damari Alston
WR: Malcolm Simmons, Horatio Fields, and Cam Coleman
TE: Brandon Frazier
LT: Xavier Chaplin
LG: Wright, Jeremiah
C: Dillon Wade
RG: Izavion Miller
Mason Murphy, RT
First team defense in 11-on-11 period
DL: Zykeivous Walker, Bobby Jamison-Travis, and Keldric Faulk
Keyron Crawford, Buck LB
Robert Woodyard Jr. is Mike’s LB.
Will LB: Atkins, Xavier
CB: Rayshawn Pleasant and Jay Crawford
Sylvester Smith, nickel
Kaleb Harris and Champ Anthony, S
Other observations
The 11-on-11 time was the most interesting part of the media-accessible portion, as the offense performed better than in previous practices.
During that time, Auburn employed a different offensive line configuration than usual, with Miller playing right guard and Wade taking Lew’s place at center.
Pleasant was the other first team corner opposite Crawford because Lee was not playing much.
During the 11-on-11 period we witnessed, Auburn’s offensive line held up well, despite their struggles with pass protection throughout camp.
— Arnold made wise choices, making a few short throws to move down the field.
Arnold attempted a fade route with a deep shot that was meant for Simmons, but Simmons was unable to locate the back shoulder throw, and the ball dropped incomplete. The play was covered by Anthony.
It should come as no surprise that the whole defensive front seven switched positions during that time.
Despite being the first tight end on the field, Auburn used about 12 players, including Preston Howard.
— To finish the drive, Connor Gibbs entered the game and made a solid kick that appeared to be a 40-yard field goal.
Pleasant was the main kick returner as Auburn practiced its kickoff sets before to the 11-on-11 period.Duke Smith, a rookie wide receiver, also practiced with the kick returners.
During the kickoff walkthrough, kickoff duties were being handled by rookie punter John McGuire.
The wide receivers and defensive backs participated in some one-on-one and goal line two-on-two drills at Auburn, and it appeared like the receivers won more of them than in previous sessions.
Hugh Freeze was enthusiastic about the group even though the receivers won a couple more routes.
— Coleman cleanly outran Raion Strader in coverage to start the drill with a beautiful slant route.
— Arnold made a throw that went just behind Fields on a slant, causing Freeze to drop and utter some irritated words.
For AL.com, Peter Rauterkus writes about Auburn athletics. You may email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus.
