From Tom Green. Good to see we should have our full compliment of O-line and D-line guys ready to go. On offense, I think it's well established that this is not the most talented bunch in the league. However, they are incredibly experienced, have been there done that against the best in the nation, and with more time in the weight room with Co Pitmanz, I believe we'll have a solid group. I didn't pay real close attention to the Spring. I knew we had a lot of guys out, but didn't know Jeffrey M'ba was one of them. This is a guy I think can be a difference maker. I watched a bunch of film on him. Yes, I know it was JUCO, but one thing that stands out is how quick he is. Even at 6'6" 313, he looks like he could come off the edge some. Can't wait to see him in action.
Auburn expects to have a full complement of players along the offensive and defensive lines healthy for summer workouts and ready to go when fall camp begins in August.
Bryan Harsin on Tuesday evening, prior to an alumni event in Columbus, Ga., updated the status of offensive linemen Nick Brahms, Austin Troxell and Brandon Council, as well as defensive lineman Jeffrey M’ba after each missed various amounts of time this spring due to injury.
“Those guys are back,” Harsin said. “They’ll be ready to go…. We’ll get them back, and by August, they’ll be full-go, barring any setbacks, and they’ll be ready to play.”
That’s promising news in the trenches for Auburn, especially along the offensive line, where the Tigers made do with a patchwork unit this spring with three returning starters limited.
Brahms and Troxell were both limited participants in spring practice, as Brahms worked his way back from a knee procedure he underwent in December and Troxell participated in a limited capacity due to an undisclosed injury. Neither participated in A-Day.
“(Brahms and Troxell) actually practiced some, and they were non-contact, but they were getting a little physical, so they were getting a little bit of work in there,” Harsin said. “And in the summer, you’re not doing much contact, if any.”
Council, meanwhile, missed the duration of spring practices after undergoing an offseason procedure that sidelined him.
That trio has a combined 84 career starts along the offensive line. Brahms is heading into his fifth season as the Tigers’ starting center, while Council has been a fixture in the lineup the last two seasons when healthy, and Troxell emerged as the team’s starting left tackle last season after years of battling injuries.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, M’ba will have his first real opportunity to show what he brings to the table after signing with Auburn out of junior college and arriving on campus in January. M’ba did not participate in spring practices while recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained late last season at Independence Community College.
“He’s an awesome person, very good player, very athletic,” Harsin said. “I think there’s so much more potential that he’s got. He’s got so many capabilities that we just didn’t get a chance to see this spring, and he wants to be out there. He can move, and he’s awesome to be around, great energy, loves Auburn.”
The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder was the top-ranked junior college prospect in the nation during the last recruiting cycle, and he had 50 total tackles, with 15 for a loss, during his two seasons at Independence. Harsin is eager to see M’ba return to the field and join the Tigers’ rotation along the defensive line, where Auburn boasts the likes of Colby Wooden, Marcus Harris, Derick Hall, Eku Leota and Oregon transfer Jayson Jones.
“I know for him, he just wants to be out there on the field,” Harsin said. “You get him out there… and some of these other guys that have been with us, we’ve got guys that look the part. And certainly, in that group, too, I think the work ethic that Coach Brumbaugh has brought as well has really showed up with that group, and he’s brought that group together.
“I think those guys are exciting to have on our team right now just as far as that unit and some of the other guys we brought it, so we’ll see how that all pans out this summer.”
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.
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