Pink’s Perspective: What I’ve seen at Auburn practice so far, cutting through the mess

Auburn Live has been able to take in practice windows and two nearly full practices. Things are often exaggerated or not mentioned. The idea here is to do the best we can to narrow it down to the key positives and concerns we have so far–cutting through the mess, so to speak.

Plays I have seen

**We don’t get to see anything of importance for the most part, but Tigers’ coach Hugh Freeze has allowed us more time in two practices this spring. If Auburn is going to run base offense and go head to head with the defense, who makes plays is totally fine to share.

— Camden Brown caught the ball on a fade route. It was under thrown. The quarterback was not seen. Brown adjusted, was interfered with in the end zone, and made the catch. It was a phenomenal play.

— Tyler Scott has some crazy in him. He has delivered a few blows without taking his opponent to the ground, but they were nice hits. One of them could go down as targeting, but it fired up his opponent. It made a loud pop. This was fun to watch.

— Robert Lewis is the offensive equivalent to Scott. Lewis, in one practice, kept getting the outlet throw as the safety valve in the flats. He then proceeded to turn up field and lower his shoulder into defenders. I thought he was a running back a few different times.

— Cam Coleman has made many high-level plays from what I have seen. As have Camden Brown and Rivaldo Fairweather. Those three stand out and are winning the physical battle more often than not.

— Payton Thorne has been the most comfortable quarterback and has delivered the best balls. The gap has been pretty large in my opinion. It should be. He’s played a ton of football and the others have not. It is also spring. The others have plenty of time to gain ground on him.

— Trill Carter has been seen once splitting a double and disrupting. Jamonta Waller, Amaris Williams, and Jalen McLeod have all had nice plays in pass rush.

— Damari Alston was on a wide zone run, put a foot in the ground, and found the backside cut. It was a beautiful decision and he was untouched to the end zone. He has the best vision of all the backs.

— Colton Hood was beaten on a deep route against Cam Coleman, then he closed Coleman out on a deep ball on the next play.

— Fights have happened.. Nothing big, just some pushing and shoving–a couple of helmet slaps that were not so friendly. In my opinion, this is a GOOD thing. I want that edge back in Auburn football.

Coaches have an old school vibe

Auburn now has a mix of coaches. There are some old-heads who have been around for a while and there are some younger coaches in their first few years of big time coaching experience. Regardless, the attitude and style all reflects that of an old-school coaching staff.

On multiple accounts, I have seen coaches reload drills. Of course, it happened on day one. Players have to be taught how to execute drills in order to have them reflect game situations. It has been three weeks and things are still the same. Coaches are demanding excellence, but doing so in a hard-nosed teaching manner.

Vontrell King-Williams has been seen demanding players to have more force in drills. He has been seen as visibly displeased with the intensity in what is generally a routine part of practice. Charles Kelly has been seen demanding that a drill be run to perfection. “Quit being casual,” he said to a player that did not run the drill as he had coached it. Marcus Davis has been seen coaching through routes, not just after. He talks receivers through the route and looks for small details to fix, but also praises great routes.

For those who don’t get to see inside the walls of the Woltosz football facility during a practice, this is what you’ll see from Auburn’s coaching staff. Also, recruiting never stops.. even at practice. Take that for what it is worth.

No news is good news

When it comes to the offensive line, tight ends, and running backs, no news is good news. These positions have a chance to make Auburn’s offense very efficient. The running back room is very strong as is the tight end room.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Connor Lew is a future pro. Dillon Wade is a future pro. TooTall Miller is a future pro. For the first time in a while, it seems Auburn has a chance to be better at tackle than guard. The pass protection should improve.

Worried about the defensive line.. except for one thing

The interior defensive line is the No. 1 concern for Auburn moving forward in my opinion. I didn’t see much dominant play a year ago (minus Marcus Harris and Mosiah Nasili-Kite who have moved on). I have not seen enough in practice to know if dominant play will be there in 2024. So, I am left with prior experience with this defensive line.

Having said this, I have seen VERY positive pass rushing ability from several guys. Jamonta Waller and Amaris Williams are young, but they can play. The key here is to get another experienced guy to take this room to another level in 2024. The room will be fine, but in 2024, there is still concern.

Jalen McLeod, in my opinion, is the best player on Auburn’s football team. That will go a long way as long as he is healthy.

Watch out for the secondary

I was worried about this group going into spring, but so far, I am impressed. Yes, experience will be a problem, but there are some real specimens in the corner and safety rooms.

I can’t help but point out that Jerrin Thompson was an easy addition for Auburn. This means, I never heard of another school involved. He made a trip to Auburn and shut it down. We never learned of a threat. That scares me. NEVER take something on face value.. His film is great, he’s played tons of football.. So why was there not a strong push from anyone else (that we know of.. and we usually know).

So far, the returns have been big. Multiple players talk about Thompson, multiple coaches talk about him, and he has shown out in practice. He looks like a veteran.

Colton Hood, Sylvester Smith, JC Hart, Terrance Love, and Champ Anthony all look like real contenders for playing time IMO.

My advice: Leave Hugh Freeze alone

I talked about this on an Auburn Live Call-In show, but would be remiss not to talk about it again.

What I am watching from a recruiting reporter stand point has a chance to be special on the field at Auburn. What I am watching from a tenacity standpoint, from a talent standpoint, and from a strength and conditioning standpoint appears to have a chance to be special.

It irritates me when I see and hear those who want to rush this process… It needs time. I am not interested in how long it took ___ program to succeed under ___ Coach.

In my opinion, while Auburn is one of the best brands in college football, can recruit with anyone, and the staff are going about the rebuild the right way, the football program is in jeopardy of being stuck in a mighty hole… IF Hugh Freeze is not left alone by administration, fans, and anyone else close to him.

I love what I am seeing this offseason. Personally and selfishly, I want to see it through.

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