Long, but WTH. Read it, or don't.
Forget the coaching aspect of things for a second. This has more to do with the young talent that’s getting loads of experience, and what’s needed at the two most important positions.
Taking a look at the offense, the young receivers were obviously the most hyped coming into 2024. The ones who have contributed the most:
Malcolm Simmons: 28 catches for 349 yards and 2 TD
Cam Coleman: 15 catches for 292 and 2 TD
Perry Thompson: 5 catches for 126 yards and 1 TD
All true freshmen, who I think we all can agree would have a lot more production if….well, you know…Thernz and Freeze. Simmons is a dynamic playmaker, and I think they’ve failed to try and utilize Coleman’s athletic ability and beat some corners with contested balls and back shoulder throws. Micah Riley is a sophomore, and has been getting some decent reps this year.
At RB, it’s somewhat ironic that ever since Jeremiah Cobb twatted some grumblings about being dissatisfied, he’s been worked into the offense more and more. He now has 22 rushes for 113 yards. Cobb is a sophomore, and I think will get better with more work.
Conner Lew is the lone sophomore on the O-line, and a mainstay at center.
Defense is where the youth movement really comes in to play. Up front:
Amaris Williams: True Freshman
Malik Blocton: True Freshman
Keldrick Faulk: Sophomore with 36 total tackles and 7 sacks. The guy is getting better with each game.
At Linebacker:
Demarcus Riddick: True Freshman This guy is a stud. Fast and aggressive.
Robert Woodyard: Sophomore who has been getting more and more playing time, now has 14 total tackles
The Defensive Backfield is loaded with young talent
Kayin Lee: Sophomore
Jay Crawford: Freshman
Sylvester Smith: RS Freshman
A’mon Lane-Ganous: Freshman
There are others I’m sure I’m leaving out, but suffice it to say, I don’t think there’s ever been a time in Auburn football where so many young guys are doing so much. All indications are, the class coming in for 2025, should have a number of instant contributors as well. But, none of it really matters if two areas aren’t addressed in a big way.
First, no one even has to say anything about the huge elephant in the room, stomping all over the furniture. Freeze had better get it right with his next signal caller. We have a tall, highly rated lefty coming in, and while not out of the question, you don’t want to throw a true freshman into the fire right off the bat. It works occasionally in this league, but Freeze and the money-men, better open the vault for an experienced QB, or next year, it’s more of the same.
Aaaaannnd, it’s more of the same if the O-line does not get a serious upgrade. How many years has it been since Auburn had a legit line? Does it go back to 2017 with Braden Smith and Austin Golson? I think so. The good/bad news is, we have a lot of these same guys who haven’t blocked for two years, coming back.
Dillon Wade
Conner Lew
Jeremiah Wright
Bradyn Joiner
Everything I’ve read and heard, is that Lew is solid at center. I have no idea about Joiner, as he’s been pressed into a starting role since Oklahoma due to injuries. There are a good number of O-linemen in the 2025 class, but only one 4*, and again, a true freshman has to be pretty special to start on the line in this league. Portal, here we come.
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